Conditional interim relief in liquor licence disputes may be limited where dues, compliance, and licence expiry require balanced protection.

Interim relief against recovery and licence consequences may be confined to conditional, limited protection where the court balances hardship against the authority's need to secure dues and compliance. The court accepted that no strong ground existed to disturb the interim order, but considered the closure of the bar, part-payment already made, the undertaking for the balance, and the imminent expiry of the licence. It therefore refused the full time sought and instead permitted staged payment with strict default consequences, including cancellation of the licence and further monetary liability, while preserving the parties' substantive rights for adjudication in the writ petition.

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Issues: Whether the appellant was entitled to limited interference by extending time for payment of the demanded amounts and permitting continuation of the bar licence on conditions.

Analysis: The Court found no strong ground to disturb the interim order, but took into account the closure of the bar, the payment of Rs. 55 lakhs already made, and the undertaking offered for payment of the balance. Considering the imminent expiry of the licence and the need to secure the Department's dues, the Court declined the full time sought by the appellant and instead imposed a staged payment schedule with consequences for default, including cancellation of the licence and further monetary liability. The Court also preserved the parties' substantive rights in the writ petition.

Conclusion: Limited interference was granted in favour of the appellant by allowing staged payment and conditional continuation of operations, but the relief was confined by strict conditions and default consequences.

Final Conclusion: The appeal was disposed of with only partial relief, while the substantive issues remained open for adjudication in the writ petition.

Ratio Decidendi: Where interim protection is sought against recovery or licence consequences, the Court may grant conditional and limited relief by balancing the appellant's claimed hardship against the authority's interest in securing dues and compliance.

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