Renewal of bar licences: PIL in Kerala HC seeks CBI probe

Kochi: A PIL has been filed in high court seeking a CBI probe into the procedure adopted by the previous LDF govt in Feb 2026 for the renewal of bar licences for hotels that had not obtained the mandatory star rating from the ministry of tourism.The PIL, filed by M M Sanjeev Kumar of Kollam, claims that a communication was issued by the additional chief secretary of the taxes (G) department on Feb 13, directing the excise commissioner to renew FL-3 (bar) licences for the financial year 2026-27 for hotels that had applied for the reclassification of their star ratings and were awaiting approval. He further alleged that the impugned communication violated the precondition stipulated under Rule 13(3) of the foreign liquor rules, which mandates that hotels possess a valid and subsisting star classification certificate issued by the tourism ministry for the grant or renewal of a bar licence.Kumar also stated that the impugned communication was issued following a memorandum submitted by the Federation of Kerala Hotel Association to the excise minister, seeking relaxation of the mandatory condition under Rule 13(3) owing to delays in the reclassification of star ratings. However, in Feb 2025, the regional director (south), ministry of tourism, had issued a letter clarifying that delays in reclassification were solely attributable to applicant hotels seeking deferment of inspections.

The petitioner further alleged that the impugned communication of the additional chief secretary of the taxes department was the result of a deep-rooted criminal conspiracy involving the political executive, senior bureaucrats and the hotel lobby.Despite submitting a representation to the chief secretary seeking a CBI probe into the matter, Kumar claimed that no response had been received, prompting him to move HC.