GAHC010174072022 undefined THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

Case No. : WP(C)/5702/2022 SUDIPTO SEKHAR PAUL S/O. DIPON KUMAR PAUL, R/O. N. S. AVENUE, BHUBAN SARANI RANGIRKHARI, DIST. CACHAR, SILCHAR-788005, ASSAM.

VERSUS THE STATE OF ASSAM AND 4 ORS REP. BY COMM. AND SECY., EXCISE DEPTT. TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM, DISPUR, GUWAHATI-781006, DIST. KAMRUP (M), ASSAM.

2:DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CACHAR SILCHAR ASSAM PIN-788001.

3:ADDL. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CACHAR I/C. EXCISE SILCHAR ASSAM

4:SUPDT. OF EXCISE

CACHAR

SILCHAR

ASSAM

5:NAVNEET SHARMA S/O. RAMESWAR SHARMA R/O. SONAI BAZAR P.O. SONAI DIST. CACHAR ASSAM PIN-788119.

6:XXXXX AS PER HON'BLE COURT'S ORDER DTD- 28.07.2025 RESPONDENT NO. 6 HAS BEEN STRUCK OFF.

7:THE SELECTION COMMITTEE OF IMFL OFF SHOP LINCENCE SONAI OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY EXCISE DEPARTMENT PO ASSAM SACHIVALAYA DISPUR GUWAHATI 781006 DISTRICT KAMRUP (M)

Advocate for the Petitioner : MR P C GOSWAMI, MR. B HALDAR,MR G BHARADWAJ,MR B DEORI Advocate for the Respondent : GA, ASSAM, MS T J SAHEWALLA (r-5),MR H K SARMA (r-

5),MS. S. TODI (r-5),MR M SAHEWALLA (r-5),MR G N SAHEWALLA (r-5),SC, EXCISE DEPTT.

BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY

ORDER

25.02.2026 Heard Mr. A. Khanikar, learned counsel for the petitioner; Mr. I. Borthakur, learned Standing Counsel, Excise Department for the respondent nos. 1, 3, 4 & 6; Mr. M. Chetia, learned Junior Government Advocate, Assam for the respondent no. 2; and Mr. G.N. Sahewalla, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. K. Sarma, learned counsel for the respondent no. 5.

The petitioner has contended that it was only at the instance of Guardian Minister and the recommendation of the Minister, Excise, the respondent no. 5 has been granted IFML ‘Off’ license dehors the criteria prescribed for selection process pursuant to a Notice dated

15.11.2021 inviting applications for grant of IMFL ‘Off’ shop at Sonai.

Having regard to the contention raised by the learned counsel for the parties, it appears that a perusal of the relevant records regarding selection process leading to grant of IMFL ‘Off’ shop license in favour of the respondent no. 5 would be necessary.

Mr. Borthakur, learned Standing Counsel, Excise Department has submitted that he would obtain the records of selection process.

List the case on 25.03.2026, as sought for by Mr. Borthakur.

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JUDGE Comparing Assistant