In Brief
The appellant successfully bid for a resettlement of a foreign liquor shop licence at Pithoragarh after the original licensee surrendered it. The first respondent, an unsuccessful bidder who did not participate in the resettlement, filed a writ petition alleging the appellant's bid of Rs. 3.46 crores caused revenue loss compared to the advertised value. The High Court stayed the settlement based on alleged public interest. The Supreme Court held the petition was rightly dismissed for lack of locus standi and set aside the stay, finding no actual revenue loss (recovery proceedings secured the shortfall) and no malafides. The Court restored the appellant's licence and dismissed the petition with costs.
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