Sundarkaran v. Bharathi and Others – sllr 1989 volume 1 page 046

In Sundarkaran v. Bharathi and Others (including the Government Agent and the Excise Commissioner), the court addressed the validity of the refusal to renew the petitioner’s liquor licence for 1987, which was premised on the requirement under Excise Department Circular No. 221 that all Members of Parliament for a multi-member constituency be consulted. The court held that the mere consultation—not concurrence—of all Members of Parliament was required, finding the denial of a renewal invalid for failing to afford the petitioner an adequate hearing and for misconstruing the legal effect of the circular. Key legal principles reaffirmed include the rule of natural justice (audi alteram partem) and the protection of legitimate expectations concerning administrative actions affecting property ri