INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS AND WINES ASSOCIATION OF INDIA vs THE STATE OF HARYANA

The Supreme Court upheld Rule 24(i-eeee) of the Haryana Liquor License Rules 1970, which provides for a single L-1BF license for imported foreign liquor, rejecting the appellant's claim that it was ultra vires the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. The Court found that the process of granting the license through public auction did not violate Article 19(6) or Article 14 of the Constitution, as it allowed participation from all interested parties and aimed to enhance revenue. The Court emphasized that the mere existence of a single license does not inherently create a monopoly if the bidding process is open and competitive.