( 1 ). The vires of Rule 21 of the Delhi Country Liquor Bonded warehouse Rules, 1962 is in question in this LPA and connected writ petitions.

( 2 ). THE basic fact of the matter, which is similar in all the cases, is not much in dispute.

( 3 ). However, for the purpose of disposal of these cases, we may note the fact of the matter from CWP 1253/2000.

( 4 ). The writ petitioners have been granted licence for wholesale supply of liquor in form CLW-1/l-9. hi terms of the conditions of the said licence, liquor was to be supplied in the bottles at the rates specified therein. The petitioners deposited the security amount and licence fees in terms of the Terms and Conditions therefor. In terms of clause 20 of the Terms and Conditions of the contract, the licensee is required to hold such stocks of liquor as are considered by the Collector of Excise to meet day-to-day requirements of the country liquor vends and failure on his part to do so would entail him to pay penalty not exceeding Rs. 2. 00 per proof litre of country liquor. Allegedly, the respondent No. 3 issued Show Cause Notices on 9/12/1993, 21st December 1993, 7th j january 1994, 6/04/1994, 17/06/1994 and 2/11/1994 al