Jain temple belief strikes Bombay High Court looking for cancellation of Anand Wines’ license over proximity considerations | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
Mumbai, Nov 19: The long-simmering dispute between the Jain neighborhood and a wine store has escalated to the Bombay High Court. A writ petition has been filed difficult an order issued by the Mumbai metropolis collector, which had beforehand upheld the working legality of Masjid Bunder-based Anand Wines, regardless of allegations that the liquor outlet is located in violation of obligatory distance norms from the town’s second-oldest Jain temple.
Petition Challenges Collector’s Finding on Proximity to Derasar
The petition, filed on behalf of the temple belief and the Jain neighborhood, facilities on the proximity of Anand Wines to Shree Anantnathji Maharaj Derasar, stated to be Mumbai’s second oldest Jain temple inbuilt 1833.
Although the dispute has been lengthy standing between the non secular establishment and the liquor store, it peaked not too long ago after the Mumbai City collector dismissed the petitioner’s grievance dated March 27, 2024, looking for relocation of the liquor store.
The grievance learn, “The presence of the wine store in such shut proximity to a spot of worship is inappropriate and disrespectful. The residents have raised considerations which can be impacting the sanctity and tranquility of the realm.
Jain temple belief strikes Bombay High Court looking for cancellation of Anand Wines’ license over proximity considerations | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
Excise Department Survey Records Contradictory Distances
Based on this, the state excise division commenced an inquiry and located that the liquor store was established on August 12, 1999, after being shifted from Bhuleshwar, the place it was named as Tipu Wines. It famous that the store’s license marked it free from restrictions on the time of switch.
Collector Accepts Front-Gate Distance, Rejects Back-Gate Evidence
However, the division’s survey revealed that the liquor store is 88.4 metres away from the temple’s primary gate. However, it additionally recorded that the gap between the temple’s backdoor and the wine store was solely 13 metres, which violated the norms prescribed underneath Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953.
“The licensee doesn’t seem like free from restrictions as it’s inside 50 metres of the closest entrance of a registered non secular establishment,” learn the present trigger discover to Anand Wines, looking for reply about why its license shouldn’t be cancelled since it isn’t exempted from the inter-restrictions.
However, the collector dismissed the grievance stating that the gap between the entrance door and the wine store is 87.2 metres and subsequently it’s free from restrictions.
He cited the survey by the state excise division’s deputy superintendent, which stated that the again door was discovered closed on all of the three events of the official’s go to, hinting that the door just isn’t in use. The order additionally cited the then collector’s order granting license to Anand Wines, calling it free from restrictions.
Jain temple belief strikes Bombay High Court looking for cancellation of Anand Wines’ license over proximity considerations | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
Petition Points to Contradictions Between BMC and Excise Records
The petition challenges the order stating that it thought-about a report from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, dated April 19, 2025, which recorded that there isn’t any reference of backdoor of the stated temple however didn’t take into account the temple CEO Rajendra Khona’s assertion to the excise division, dated June 3, 2024, which acknowledged that the temple’s backdoor is getting used for non secular work. It alleged the order to be dangerous in regulation, highlighting the opposite findings in BMC report and state excise division’s information.
It has urged the High Court to quash and put aside the district collector’s order dated July 3, 2025, and cancel the liquor license issued to Anand Wines underneath the provisions of Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. It additionally prayed the court docket to droop operations of the liquor store’s license till the ultimate disposal of the petition.
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Anand Wines Owner Calls Case Harassment Tactic
The Free Press Journal contacted Sushil Khatanhar, the proprietor of Anand Wines, who stated, “We have been working this enterprise for 25 years and there has by no means been any objection from any native citizen. The temple’s again gate has not opened within the final 30 years and so they have not too long ago began opening it to make it a difficulty towards us. This is a tactic used to harass us in order that we hand over our store.”
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