M/S Modern Hotel vs Commissioner Of Excise & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of the proviso to Rule 13A(5) of the Foreign Liquor Rules, which mandates that no defaulter of abkari arrears can renew their license without clearing 50% of the dues. The Court upheld the dismissal of the appellant's writ appeal, affirming that a partnership firm does not possess a separate juristic identity, and thus, the disqualification of any partner affects the firm's ability to renew its license. The Court noted that subsequent compliance with an Amnesty Scheme does not retroactively affect the legal standing of the prior disqualification under the rules.