The licensing authority must consider public interest and objections before granting licenses under the Tamil Nadu Liquor Rules.

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

This writ petition has been filed to forbear the official respondent from granting FL2 license to the fourth respondent club without considering the objections submitted by the petitioner and other residents.

2.The main grievance of the writ petitioner is that he has given objections to grant FL2 license to the fourth respondent club. As per Rule 19(A) of the Tamil Nadu Liquor (Licence and Permit) Rules, 1981, before granting license, the licensing authority should satisfy himself that the local needs justify the grant of the licence and that the public interest shall not suffer. In this regard the petitioner has also given objections, which has not been considered by the official respondents.

Hence, the writ petition.

3.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents, on instructions, would submit that the objections of the petitioner will be considered before issuing any license.

4.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed on record.

5.Considering the submissions made by the learned Additional Government Pleader on behalf of the official respondents, we direct the official respondents to consider the objections of the petitioner and to strictly follow the guidelines issued by this Court in WP.(MD)No.21149 of 2025 dated 22.08.2025, before taking any decision with regard to the issuance of FL2 license. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.