Bar licence applications: HC allows limited extra time to file supporting documents under the new licensing regime.

The HC granted bar operators limited additional time to produce supporting documents and permissions after the online registration deadline under the new licensing regime. It accepted that the petitioners were already running existing bars and restaurants, and that allowing applications to be filed by the notified date with subsequent submission of documents would not prejudice the authorities. The applications were to be considered in accordance with law, and the authorities were directed to pass orders expeditiously on the basis of the completed record.

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Issues: Whether the petitioners were entitled to time beyond the online registration deadline to produce the required documents and permissions for grant of bar licence.

Analysis: The petitioners were already operating existing bars and restaurants and were required to comply with the new licensing regime within a very short period after the issuance of the policy and notification. The Court found that permitting the petitioners to file the applications by the notified date and to submit the supporting documents thereafter within a further period would not prejudice the respondents. In the circumstances, the Court granted limited time for production of the relevant documents and directed the authorities to consider the applications in accordance with law.

Conclusion: The petitioners were granted the requested limited extension for submission of documents and the respondents were directed to pass appropriate orders on the applications expeditiously in accordance with law.

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