Pernod’s licence appeal rejected again in Delhi

Pernod Ricard India’s attempt to regain its excise licence in Delhi has been rejected once again by the state excise department, according to a report by Hindustan Times. The rejection pertains to the company's appeal against a 2022 order cancelling its liquor sales licence, amid ongoing investigations linked to the scrapped 2021–22 Delhi excise policy.

As per the report, Excise Commissioner Sunny K Singh cited a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the company as grounds for the rejection. The May 9 order reportedly stated that allowing a firm facing serious allegations of financial misconduct to operate under a state licence would “undermine public trust” and “expose state revenue to risk.”

While the order rejects Pernod Ricard’s application for the FY 2022–23 licence under the reinstated 2020–21 policy, it allows the company to appeal the decision before the financial commissioner.

Pernod Ricard’s brands have been absent from Delhi’s shelves since late 2022. The company had argued that the mere pendency of legal proceedings — in the absence of any framed charges or convictions — should not disqualify it from obtaining a licence.  However, the excise department held that the ED’s chargesheet, which pertains to alleged economic offences, was sufficient basis to deny the application.

A Pernod Ricard spokesperson, quoted by HT said, “This order pertains to our earlier FY22–23 license application. While we do not agree with it, our main focus is on securing a fresh license for the current financial year. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us.”