The State Excise Department slapped Bandra’s beloved Deepak Wines a fine of close to INR 19 Lakhs on Sunday night for the delivery of alcohol at night without the appropriate license for the same.

The prospect of Deepak Wines shutting down made our hearts flutter. Deepak Wines has been a household name for Bandra residents, almost a rite of passage for young bloods across the city. Would the establishment survive such a major clampdown?

As per reports, the Excise department conducted a raid on Sunday based on a tip-off of deliveries being made off the books. It should also be taken into consideration that, according to a Times of India report, shops or third parties in Maharashtra are prohibited to deliver alcohol directly to consumers.

Putting it simply, every time we’ve been picking up the phone to call the closest wine shop to drop off drinks to the house it hasn’t exactly been legal. The Excise department has previously revoked licences of 50 shops and bars for being part of an ‘alcohol-on-call network’. Online sale of liquor too is still illegal in the state, though reports from earlier this year stating a possible change in policy were dismissed by the Chief Minister.

According to the Bombay Prohibition Act, consumption of liquor in public spaces is prohibited, only allowed in permit rooms (bars, pubs etc.) and at home, that too with a permit/license. If you happen to be caught with liquor without a license you can face a fine of INR 5,000-25,000 or 6 months jail time, or both.

Deepak Wines can’t be the only establishment carrying out such practices if we are being honest, and we all know who and where deliveries happen without requests for permits. So, is Deepak Wines being called out for its popularity and iconic status to be made an example of?

Image used for representational purposes