The North News
Chandigarh, March 27
Liquor sales in Chandigarh will come to a standstill for at least three days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a status quo on the allocation of liquor vends in the city. The decision follows multiple petitions alleging that a single family and its associates secured nearly 90% of the vends in a recent e-auction, violating the 2025-26 UT Excise Policy.
The court has stayed the operation of all liquor vends in Chandigarh from April 1 until the next hearing on April 3. The freeze means that vendors operating under the previous excise policy must shut down after March 31, while newly allotted vends cannot open until further notice.
A total of 96 out of 97 liquor vends were auctioned on March 21, generating ₹606 crore—36% above the ₹439 crore reserve price. However, with the legal challenge now in court, the implementation of the new excise policy remains uncertain.
The suspension of liquor sales is expected to impact both businesses and consumers, with industry stakeholders closely watching the court’s next move.
