The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by French liquor major Pernod Ricard India challenging the Delhi government’s decision to reject its application for an L-1 wholesale liquor licence on account of its involvement in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav upheld the orders passed by the Excise Commissioner and the Financial Commissioner, which had denied the licence under Section 13(1)(c) of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009.

The dispute arose after Pernod Ricard’s application for a wholesale liquor licence was rejected on the ground that the company is facing prosecution in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy matter. The Financial Commissioner had affirmed the Excise Commissioner’s decision through an order dated February 17, 2026.

Before the High Court, the company argued that the authorities had wrongly equated a pending criminal prosecution with a “criminal background”. It contended that Section 13 of the Delhi Excise Act contemplates disqualification only in cases where an applicant has been convicted of specified offences and does not permit denial of a licence merely because criminal proceedings are pending.

After hearing the parties, the High Court declined to interfere with the orders rejecting the licence application and dismissed the writ petition.

A detailed judgment setting out the Court’s reasons is awaited.

Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Jayant Mehta appeared for Pernod Ricard India. The Delhi Government was represented by Standing Counsel (Civil) Sameer Vashisht, Panel Counsel Avni Singh and other counsel.