The Delhi Government on Tuesday suspended the bar licence of Delhi’s Gymkhana club after an investigation by the Government found that the club was allegedly involved in the sale of liquor even during the lockdown period.
The order of the suspension of the bar license of the high profile club was issued by Ranjeet Singh, the Deputy Excise Commissioner. In its order, the Deputy Excise Commissioner stated that the license of the club has been suspended with immediate effect and the club officials concerned have been directed to appear before the Excise Department on October 27 for further proceedings in the matter.
The order further stated that during the course of inspection on September 17, a bar sub-store was found in the club, for which no approval of the Excise Department was taken.
“During inspection, a club official said some liquor stock was found to be short from the bar sub-store as a former official had taken out liquor from it during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown, without bringing it to the knowledge of the manager or the members of the club’s managing committee,” the order further stated.
It may be noted that following the Covid-19 outbreak, in late March, the Union Government had announced a nationwide lockdown. Bars in hotels, clubs and restaurants had reopened in Delhi on September 10 under ‘Unlock-4’ after being closed for over 170 days.
“It is reasonably clear that the licensee was involved in selling of liquor during the period of lockdown in violation of this office order dated 21.04.2020, wherein all the licensees-wholesale, retail, hotels, clubs and restaurants were warned to refrain from indulging in the unlawful activities of sale of liquor during the lockdown,” stated the order.
“In view of the facts and circumstances of the matter and written submissions made by the representative of the licensee, I, Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority, deem it fit to suspend the license issued...to Delhi Gymkhana Club, with immediate effect,” stated the order issued by Deputy Excise Commissioner.