HC directions in Drishti Adventure Sports liquor licence issue

Mumbai, Apr 19 (UNI) Coming down strongly on authorities, the Bombay High Court directed the excise commissioner to file an affidavit on why the application regarding liquor license of Drishti Adventure Sports, owned by Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, was kept pending for six months.

In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the court, a division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C Dharmadhikari had been informed that liquor license pertaining to Drishti was pending before the excise commissioner, and office of the police commissioners has taken objection to extending it. But, today, to the dismay of the court, it was informed that, the controversial company had valid license for serving liquor, duly extended by the excise commissioner till December this year.

Shocked to find factually incorrect information being given to the court, the division bench remarked that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) the police and the excise department are not aware of each others working.

Counsel for the BMC, Adv Priti Purandare later clarified that the liquor license had been extended to the filmstar's company as No Objection Certificate (NOC) was issued by the collector. Upon which the court remarked that the BMC had given them permission to raise temporary structure so that adventure sports activities could be undertaken, now there stands a full-fledged restaurant and a liquor shop. The court has given a weeks time to the excise commissioner to file an affidavit.

UNI