KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Excise Commissioner to consider the application filed by a bar owner - who had to close down after Kochi Metro works began - seeking a refund of the bar licence fee.
The court issued the order on a petition filed by the Cochin Tourist Corporation, Ernakulam. In December 2013, the Revenue Department acquired the building as part of the metro project without serving any notice.
Later, the District Collector permitted reopening the bar on the condition the firm surrender the building when the authorities require it. Meanwhile, the owner renewed the licence.
In April 2014, the revenue authorities seized the building again and demolished it. Following this, the owner approached the Excise Department seeking a refund of the proportionate licence fee for the unused period but the excise commissioner rejected his plea.
Since the firm could not run its business from April 10, 2014, and the department fully knew this, the firm is entitled to get the proportionate licence fee for the unused period refunded, the court held.