An alleged retail liquor operation at ‘Wine and Spirit Resto’ in Bhiwandi has raised questions over compliance with Maharashtra’s FL-3 licensing framework. The establishment reportedly holds FL-3 licence number 2767, while allegations claim a separate counter was being used to sell sealed liquor bottles. Questions have also been raised over an alleged unauthorised premises-layout change, liquor procurement practices and late-night operations. The allegations have not been independently established, and excise authorities would need to verify licences, inspection records, invoices, stock registers and other documents before taking any action.
FL-3 Licence Under Scrutiny: Alleged Illegal Wine Shop Operation Raises Questions Over ‘Wine and Spirit Resto’ in Bhiwandi
An alleged retail liquor operation inside an FL-3-licensed permit room in Bhiwandi has triggered questions over licensing compliance, excise revenue and possible regulatory action.
The alleged illegal wine shop operation at ‘Wine and Spirit Resto’ in Bhiwandi has raised questions over compliance with Maharashtra’s excise licensing framework and the establishment’s licence conditions.
The establishment, located at Yash Complex near Anjur Phata in the Rahanal area, reportedly holds FL-3 licence number 2767, according to the allegations provided for this report.
The allegations state that the premises are operating a separate counter selling sealed liquor bottles at maximum retail price, despite reportedly holding an FL-3 permit-room licence.
An FL-3 licence authorises specified foreign-liquor sales at licensed hotel or restaurant premises, subject to prescribed conditions, including government-approved areas and operating hours.
Under Rule 52 of the Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, wine may be sold in sealed bottles only after the relevant FL-III licence is appropriately endorsed.
The Maharashtra State Excise Department lists the Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, among the regulations governing wholesale, retail and bar licences across Maharashtra.
Alleged licensing violations and excise concerns
The allegations further claim that the establishment’s approved premises layout was altered without permission to facilitate the separate counter and retail-style liquor sales.
Such an alteration, if established through official inspection and records, could raise questions regarding compliance with applicable licensing conditions and government approvals.
The complaint also alleges that liquor was procured from Vicky Wines, Pravin Wines and Raju Wines at wholesale rates instead of through the authorised procurement process.
These allegations have not been independently established by Sprouts News, and the concerned excise authorities would need to verify purchase records, invoices, stock registers and transport documentation.
The establishment is also alleged to remain operational until around 3 am, raising separate questions about compliance with government-prescribed hours for liquor sale and service.
If confirmed, repeated breaches could expose the licence holder to suspension or cancellation proceedings under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, depending upon the facts established during investigation.
Section 54 empowers the licensing authority to suspend or cancel a licence for breaches of its terms and conditions, while Section 56 provides cancellation powers for other specified reasons.
The law therefore does not automatically establish permanent cancellation merely from an allegation; the competent authority must examine evidence and follow the applicable statutory procedure.
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Previous suspension puts compliance history under focus
A significant issue raised in the allegations concerns an earlier suspension involving the same permit room between March 18, 2025 and April 2, 2025.
According to the material provided, the licence was suspended after allegations of unauthorised MRP-based liquor sales and consequent loss of government revenue.
The owner, Girish Jagdish Budhrani, reportedly submitted a written undertaking before the District Collector promising that such violations would not be repeated.
The present allegations therefore raise a question about whether the undertaking was subsequently breached and whether authorities have records establishing any recurrence of similar violations.
The Maharashtra Prohibition Act specifically permits action where a licence holder breaches the terms of a licence or conditions attached to previously held authorisations.
However, any allegation of deliberate fraud, revenue loss, or criminal conspiracy would require evidence and cannot be treated as established merely because a complaint has been made.
Legal provisions cited and questions for authorities
The complaint materials refer to possible provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 318, 316, 61 and 223.
Section 318 concerns cheating, Section 316 addresses criminal breach of trust, Section 61 concerns criminal conspiracy, and Section 223 covers disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant. (Corpus Juris Legal).
Whether any of these provisions actually apply would depend on the evidence, the precise conduct established, the nature of any official orders and the findings of investigating authorities.
The allegations also raise a broader regulatory question: how could an alleged unauthorised retail counter and repeated licensing violations continue without timely detection by the local excise administration?
Citizens have demanded that Superintendent of Police Uttam Shinde and Inspector Sanjay Dhere examine the allegations and ensure that any required inquiry is conducted transparently.
The State Excise Department may also need to verify the establishment’s licence, approved layout, stock records, purchase invoices, sales registers, tax payments and previous enforcement history.
At present, the central issue is whether the alleged violations can be substantiated through official inspection and documentary evidence, rather than whether the licence should automatically be cancelled.
The next steps could include an excise inspection, examination of records, statements from concerned parties and, if warranted, proceedings under applicable excise or criminal laws.
Any decision to suspend, cancel or continue the FL-3 licence ultimately rests with the competent statutory authorities after considering the evidence and giving the parties the process required by law.
Regarding a comment on the news, a Sprouts News correspondent contacted Girish Jagdish Budhrani. However, he denied the allegations.
When a Sprouts News correspondent contacted Divisional Excise Inspector Sanjay Dhere, he said that the Wine and Spirit Resto licence had been suspended last year. The establishment subsequently paid a fine to the Collector and resumed operations. He further stated that a case was filed against the establishment again last month.
