State Of Kerala & Ors vs Kandath Distilleries

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of whether the High Court can issue a Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution directing the State to grant licenses for distilleries under the Foreign Liquor (Compounding, Blending and Bottling) Rules, 1975 and Section 14 of the Abkari Act. The Court reaffirmed that the power to regulate the establishment of distilleries lies exclusively with the State Governments, as established in Bihar Distillery and Another v. Union of India. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the State's discretion in licensing matters.