The Kerala High Court has directed the state excise commissioner to decide within seven days on the replies submitted by two Kochi bar hotels facing possible licence cancellation over alleged liquor service to a 19-year-old man accused in the Nedumbassery car crash that killed three youngsters.
Justice M A Abdul Hakhim issued the direction while disposing of petitions filed by Polakulath Tourist Home in Vyttila and Monsoon Empress on the Palarivattom Bypass. The hotels had challenged the suspension of their bar licences and the show-cause notices issued by the excise authorities.
The case concerns allegations that the two establishments served liquor to Suhail, who was under the age of 23 and allegedly drove the vehicle involved in the crash. The petitions stated that cases had been registered against both hotels under Section 56(b) of the Abkari Act.
Following the cases, the excise authorities suspended the hotels’ bar licences and issued notices asking why the licences should not be cancelled. The establishments later submitted replies to the notices, according to the details recorded in the proceedings.
The hotels then approached the High Court, arguing that the excise commissioner had taken action without giving them an opportunity to be heard. During the hearing, their counsel sought a direction requiring the commissioner to consider the replies submitted in response to the show-cause notices.
The court disposed of the petitions after directing the excise commissioner to examine the replies and take a decision within seven days. The order places the next step with the excise administration, which must determine how to proceed with the licence-related action against the two establishments.
The proceedings relate to the regulatory response following the Nedumbassery crash, in which three young people were killed. The allegations against the hotels concern service of liquor to a person below the applicable age threshold under the Abkari Act. The court’s direction addresses the process to be followed on the notices and does not, in the supplied proceedings, record a final decision on whether either hotel’s licence will be cancelled.
The excise commissioner’s decision on the replies will determine the immediate regulatory outcome for Polakulath Tourist Home and Monsoon Empress. Until that decision is issued, the proceedings remain focused on the hotels’ responses to the show-cause notices and the action proposed by the excise department.
