Delhi liquor stores were ordered to remain closed on October 10 as authorities prepared for a protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, while licensed restaurants, bars and clubs were allowed to continue serving alcohol.
The Excise Department issued the closure order as a preventive measure after receiving inputs from Delhi Police about the planned demonstration and the need to maintain public order. The order applies to all retail liquor vends across Delhi, including stores operated by Delhi government agencies.
The retail shutdown comes as metro services were also reported to be closed on Saturday and roads around the protest area were barricaded. The combined restrictions are expected to affect movement around central Delhi and reduce customer footfall at establishments that depend on retail and hospitality activity.
Licensed restaurants, bars and clubs were not covered by the retail closure and remained open under their existing permissions. The distinction means the order primarily affects off-premise liquor sales rather than all alcohol-serving businesses in the capital.
Delhi’s liquor market is a significant source of government revenue. Excise statistics for 2024-25 cited in the report put revenue from excise duty and value-added tax at Rs 8,254.8 crore. The same data recorded 714 Indian-made foreign liquor vends and 83 country liquor vends in the city.
The statistics also showed that 2.3 crore cases of liquor, including beer, were sold in Delhi during the year. This included 70 lakh cases of Indian beer and seven lakh cases of country liquor. A total of 1,579 liquor brands were registered in the capital during the period.
The restrictions are expected to have a direct effect on retail operators and associated workers for the duration of the closure. A business assessment cited in the report said customer numbers had already declined and that the closure of metro services and road barricading would further reduce footfall.
The immediate administrative objective is to manage public order around the Jantar Mantar protest. Retail liquor outlets are to remain closed for the specified day, while licensed restaurants, bars and clubs continue to operate under their permissions.
