#licence suspension

The Bombay High Court has ruled that when a statutory appeal against a short-term licence suspension is delayed, the remedy becomes meaningless - mandating that appellate authorities hear such appeals expeditiously or at least decide stay applications within four weeks. This sets a critical precedent for administrative litigants facing time-sensitive licensing penalties, ensuring statutory rights are not nullified by bureaucratic inertia.

Bombay High Court rules that food traders cannot be penalized under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act if they prove compliance with statutory defences under Section 19(2). The court set aside suspension orders, emphasizing that authorities must apply the statutory protection before imposing penalties, ensuring natural justice for traders.

Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that a company's excise licence can be suspended under Section 31(1)(c) of the Excise Act solely based on its employees' or agents' conviction for forged permits, even if the company itself is not prosecuted. The ruling underscores vicarious liability in regulatory compliance, impacting distilleries and businesses holding excise licences.