JUDGMENT

Prathiba M. Singh, J. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. The Petitioner - Pernod Ricard India Pvt. Ltd. has filed the present petition challenging the impugned order dated 13th April, 2023 passed by the Office of the Commissioner Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax, GNCTD (hereinafter, `licensing authority') by which the L-1 License application made by it before the Respondent No.2 - Department of Excise, Government of NCT of Delhi has been rejected.

3. This is the second round of litigation before this Court. In the first round, in writ petition being W.P.(C) 4057/2023 titled Pernod Ricard India Private Ltd. v. Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi & Anr., the Court had considered the contentions of the Petitioner that the Respondent No.2 had not taken a decision on its L-1 License application i.e. "wholesale vend of Indian liquor license". In the said petition on 29th March, 2023, the following order was passed:

"8. Initially, the license period was to be only till 31st March, 2023, the same extended circular dated 24th March, 2023 to 30th September, 2023. Thus, it is the submission of Mr. Akhil Sibal, ld. Sr. Counsel that the Petitioner is s