Anheuser Busch Inbev India Ltd v. Govt Of NCT Of Delhi & ORS.

$~99 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 12557/2025, CM APPL. 51187/2025 and CM APPL. 71331/2025 ANHEUSER BUSCH INBEV INDIA LTD .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Anukul Raj, Mrs. Nikita Raj, Mr.Tushar Bhalla, Mr. Naveen, Mr.

Vishal Yadav, Mr. Manjeet Goswami, Advocates.

versus GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Sumit K. Batra, Advocate with Mr. Rajkumar, Excise Inspector.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

O R D E R

% 10.02.2026 1.

The instant petition is for the following reliefs:- "(a) Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other suitable writ directing the Respondents to allow the Petitioner to unload the stock under Permit No. IPN230625006880 (1400 cases/33600 bottles), in their bonded warehouse and also allow them to sell the same; and/or (b) Pass any such order or direction as may be necessary in the present case."

2.

The instant case depicts peculiar circumstances. It seems that the petitioner's license under the Delhi Excise Act and Rules, 2010 was valid upto 30.06.2025. Though, the petitioner had an import permit upto 05.07.2025, however, on account of expiry of the petitioner's license, the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

beer consignment arrived from Karnataka on 03.07.2025, has not been allowed to be sold.

3.

The reason for the aforesaid seems to be on the ground that inbounding is not permissible after expiry of the license. 4.

Though, various submissions have been made by learned counsel for the parties to justify their action, however, the Court finds that the petitioner was granted license, which was valid upto 30.06.2025 and even the fresh license was granted, which is valid upto 05.07.2026. It is only for the interregnum, the petitioner did not have the license. 5.

The petitioner seems to have placed the order for import bona fide presuming the fresh license to be granted on the expiry of the earlier one. 6.

On account of the aforesaid reason, this discrepancy has arisen and the petitioner's beer consignment of 1400 cases/33600 bottles was not allowed to be unloaded by the petitioner in its bonded warehouse. 7.

On 03.02.2026, the Court directed the meeting of the petitioner with the officials of the Excise Department to suggest the practical resolution. It appears that the officials have made certain efforts, however, on account of the software which allows inbounding and onwards sale of the goods, the practical solution could not take place. They, therefore, suggest that if the petitioner makes a fresh representation, the respondent(s) would assist him to get the goods exported to the State of origin and thereafter, facilitate the petitioner for onwards import.

8.

The aforesaid submission seems to be reasonable. Therefore, the Court deems it appropriate to grant the liberty to the petitioner that it shall make a fresh representation to the respondent(s) and in turn, the respondent(s) to also take appropriate decision within a period of seven days The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

from the date of receipt of the representation. 9.

With the aforesaid observations and liberty, the instant petition stands disposed of.

10.

Order dasti.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J FEBRUARY 10, 2026 Nc/ksr The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.