1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 5358 of 2026 Decided on: 21.04.2026 M/s Kalta Wines L-1 …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P and others .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Sunil Mohan Goel, Senior Advocate with Mr. Abhijeet Singh Chauhan, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. L.N.Sharma, Additional Advocate General. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge This writ petition has been filed for grant of following substantive reliefs:- “(i) That this Hon’ble Court may kindly issue a writ of mandamus to immediately renew the Form L-1 License of the petitioner and issue him passes for supply of India Made Foreign Liquor/ Foreign Liquor/Beer/Wine to the Form L-2/L-14/L-14A Retail Vends. (ii) That this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue writ of mandamus directing the respondent that in case all the formalities of the petitioner stands fulfilled and renewal of the license is to take time then the petitioner may be issued manual/online passes immediately as was the practice/precedent from the year 2018 when for the first time the petitioner was issued L-1 License. (iii) That this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to direct the respondents to pay to the petitioner the losses suffered, by not issuing the passes and 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 further by not renewing the Form L-1 License despite the fact that the license fee of Rs.50.00 Lakhs stood deposited.” 2. Pursuant to the notice issued in this matter on 17.04.2026, learned Additional Advocate General has placed on record office instructions dated 21.04.2026 from Commissioner of State Taxes & Excise, H.P. The instructions inter alia convey that the matter of renewal of licenses vide memorandum dated 08.04.2026 was placed before Council of Ministers, who accorded permission for allotment of wholesale vends to H.P. Civil Supply Corporation for financial year 2026-27 and other wholesale licenses (L-1/L-13) shall be cancelled with immediate effect and the fixed license fee be refunded on pro-rata basis accordingly with respect to District Shimla. The office instructions further convey that after the aforesaid approval from the Council of Ministers, further action was taken by the respondents w.e.f. 11.04.2026 to 17.04.2026 and the petitioner was accordingly apprised through online portal and for this reason, petitioner’s license was not renewed for financial year 2026-27. 3. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submits that no formal order has been passed by the respondents rejecting renewal of petitioner’s license for financial year 2026-27. However, in view of decision taken 3 by the Council of Ministers as conveyed by respondents in the aforesaid office instructions dated 21.04.2026, the petitioner be permitted to withdraw this writ petition with liberty to file afresh in accordance with law for laying challenge to the actions of the respondents as conveyed in the aforesaid office instructions. 4. Granting such permission, present petition is disposed of as withdrawn. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua April 21, 2026 Judge yogesh