New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Delhi government's decision not to grant an L1 licence to French spirits major Pernod Ricard for wholesale liquor supply.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav rejected a Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd's petition assailing a February order of the financial commissioner, which upheld the excise commissioner's May 2025 decision rejecting its L-1 licence applications due to a pending money laundering prosecution by the Enforcement Directorate.

Pernod Ricard is the world's second largest wine and spirits organisation and its portfolio comprises over 200 premium brands, including 100 Pipers, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Absolut, Havana Club and Jacob's Creek. It also owns Indian brands such as Blenders Pride and Royal Stag.

In its petition, Pernod Ricard,“ which is facing prosecution in the money laundering case related to the 2021 excise policy 'scam', contended that unless there is a conviction, it cannot be treated as having a "criminal background" for denying an L1 licence under the Delhi Excise Act.

The plea further stated that since the trial court in February discharged all accused persons in the scheduled offence being probed by the CBI, prosecution under the related money laundering case has also become untenable.

It said the petitioner was not a "fly-by-night operator" and has an unblemished 30-year record. PTI ADS KVK KVK

L-1 liquor licence denial turns on whether pending money laundering prosecution can justify refusal under excise law. Wholesale liquor supply L-1 licence was denied on the basis of a pending money laundering prosecution. The challenge argued that, without conviction, there was no criminal background for licence denial under the Delhi Excise Act, and that discharge in the scheduled offence undermined the PMLA case. The High Court declined to interfere with the refusal and treated the pending prosecution as relevant to the licence applications.