clarified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court subsequently vide order dated 11th July, 2017 passed in S.L.P. (Civil) No. 10243 of 2017 (Arrive Safe Society of Chandigarh Vs. The Union Territory of Chandigarh & Anr.) . Accordingly, the petitioner preferred a representation before the Commissioner of Excise, Government of Jharkhand on 28th August, 2017, pointing out that as per the order passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, no such restriction is there for sale of liquor within the municipal area and, thus, requested for release of his bar licence. Thereafter, the respondent no.3 issued order dated 30th August, 2017, clarifying that the order of the Hon’ble Apex court does not prohibit the licensed establishments within the municipal area from serving liquor. Subsequently, in response to the representation of the petitioner dated 28th August, 2017, the respondent no.5 vide impugned letter dated 3rd November, 2017, directed the petitioner to deposit Rs.18.00 Lacs in the treasury through challan on account of annual licence fee. The petitioner though deposited the said amount and the bar licence was granted to him on 13th November, 2017 for the year 2017-18, but due to the aforesaid confusion prevailing with the respondent authorities, the petitioner could run his bar-cum-restaurant only for about five months i.e. from 13th November, 2017 to March, 2018. The petitioner, therefore, represented the respondent no.5 on 24th February, 2018, requesting, inter alia, to extend the period of licence for entire one year i.e. up to 12th November, 2018 or to refund the proportionate amount of Rs.11,15,000/- from the total amount deposited by the petitioner towards licence fee for the entire financial year 2017-18. However, the said representation of the petitioner has not yet been responded.
