The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday issued notices to the state government and the excise commissioner in response to a petition filed by liquor manufacturer Som Distilleries challenging the suspension of the licence of its production unit in Raisen district.
A single bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Som Distilleries Private Limited and Som Distilleries & Breweries Private Limited. The companies have challenged the excise commissioner’s February 4 order that suspended the licence of their Raisen-based production facility.
According to counsel appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Sanjay Agrawal, the High Court has directed the respondents to file their reply, with the notices made returnable within two weeks.
In their petition, the companies argued that the suspension order was passed without giving them an opportunity to present their case. They contended that the action violated the principles of natural justice and described the decision as unjust and illegal because it was taken without issuing notice or conducting a hearing.
The matter has seen procedural developments earlier this month, with two judges recusing themselves from hearing the case. On February 24, Justice Vishal Mishra recused from hearing a petition filed by Som Distilleries, observing that the matter should be listed before another bench of which he is not a member. Subsequently, on February 27, Justice S N Bhatt also recused from hearing the plea.
The case is now being heard by Justice Vivek Agarwal, who has sought responses from the state government and the excise commissioner before proceeding further. The matter is expected to come up again after the respondents file their replies.
