Ashok Lanka & Anr vs Rishi Dixit & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the trade in country and foreign liquor is res extra commercium, meaning citizens do not have a fundamental right to engage in this trade. The State has the exclusive privilege to control and regulate liquor trade under Entry 8, List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, and can impose excise duties as per Entry 51, List II. The Court affirmed the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915, particularly Sections 7(e) and 62, which empower the State to delegate authority and frame rules for licensing and regulation of liquor trade.