Bangalore Club liquor licence: HC tells state to respond

 

Earlier the government advocate argued that renewal of CL-4 (Commercial Excise Licence) cannot be done under its current registration and that they can be given the licence only if they are registered under the Cooperative Societies Act to obtain a licence.

 

During the hearing the advocate for the club argued that the Bangalore club has been in existence from 1878 and serving liquor on its premises and has complied with whatever rules and regulations from time to time. 

 

The club pressed that the licence was granted to run bar and restaurant, to which it had paid Rs 5 lakh as the licence fee. Now, it has been cancelled, and in order to bring the club under the Cooperative Societies Act. 

 

The club needs to discuss it at its general body meeting and for that it needs time. It had sought permission for ad-hoc licence for a period of one month. The court then, asked the state government to think over and report to it on granting ad-hoc liquor licence to the club.

 

The club advocate further highlighted the club has around 7,330 members spread across the world. Late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a members of the club and he was expelled at least four times, he added. Meanwhile the court was informed by the government advocate that Sir M Visvesvaraya was denied membership to the club, following which he established the Century Club, located near K.R. Circle.