Bidyut Saha And ANR. v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

14th July, (AK) W.P.A. 15688 of 2023 Bidyut Saha and another Vs.

The State of West Bengal and others Mr. Nirmalya Biswas Mr. Anirban Datta ...for the petitioners.

Mr. Tanoy Chakraborty Mr. P. Goswami ...for the State.

Learned counsel for the petitioners contends that, upon the demise of the petitioners' mother, both the petitioners made representations before the respondent authorities within the contemplation of Rule 14(6) of the West Bengal Excise (Selection of New Sites for Grant of Licence for Retail Sale of Liquor and certain other Intoxicant) Rules, 2003, but a temporary licence was issued to a third legal heir of the said deceased by the respondent authorities.

It is submitted that the petitioners' representations ought to have been considered while granting such licence.

Learned counsel appearing for the respondent authorities submits that the respondent authorities have

no objection to considering the representations made by the petitioners.

Accordingly, WPA 15688 of 2023 is disposed of by directing the respondent authorities to consider the representations of both the petitioners with regard to grant of licence to run the liquor shop which stood in the name of the mother of the petitioners, as expeditiously as possible, positively within a fortnight from date, upon giving opportunity of hearing to both the petitioners as well as the private respondent.

Upon such hearing being given, the respondent authorities shall decide on the same and take appropriate consequential action with regard to grant of licence regarding the said liquor shop immediately thereafter. There will be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat copies of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties upon compliance of all requisite formalities.

(Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, J.)