Delhi High Court seeks response from AAP govt on plea against home delivery of liquor

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to a plea challenging the amendment to the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010 by which home delivery of alcohol has been permitted through mobile applications and websites..The Delhi government had, by way of Delhi Excise (Amendment) Rules 2021 introduced changes to the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.The plea before the High Court by one Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma specifically raised challenge to the amended Rule 66(6) of the 2010 Rules. A Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Amit Bansal issued notice to the government and posted the case for further hearing on September 24. The amended Rule 66(6) provides that licensee shall make delivery of alcohol only if order is received through a mobile app or website and not delivery shall be made to a hostel. This Rule enabling home delivery runs contrary to the national policy against liquor and is in complete disregard to Article 47 of the Constitution which casts a duty on governments to improve public health by reducing consumption of liquor."The 2021 amendment undermines the public policy of importance of health and well being during the COVID-19 pandemic. By placing liquor trade above public health, the Respondent (Delhi government) has substantially undermined Article 47 of the Constitution," the plea filed through advocates Balaji Srinivasan and Pallavi Sengupta said.It was further submitted that the amendment undermines the ban on consumption of liquor in public places by making it possible to deliver alcohol to public places."The law as it stands makes it very easy for those in hostels, offices and institutions to thwart the restrictions in the Rule. The Rules enable the delivery of alcohol to hospitals and schools," the petition said.

Delhi High Court seeks response from AAP govt on plea against home delivery of liquor

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