INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
have rejected a plea by Anheuser-Busch InBev to temporarily lift a 3-year ban while it hears the global brewer's appeal, a senior
government source told Reuters.AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, has been barred from selling its products in the critical New Delhi
market for allegedly evading local taxes, Reuters reported last week
The company has denied the allegations.A three-year investigation by authorities in Delhi found that SABMiller - acquired by AB InBev in
2016 for around $100 billion - used duplicate barcodes on beer bottles supplied to retailers that year, allowing it to pay lower levies.AB
InBev has appealed against the ban to the Commissioner of Excise in the Delhi government, two government sources with direct knowledge said
The ban order was passed by a deputy commissioner of the division.While the company's appeal is still under consideration, AB InBev also
filed a separate plea with the commissioner for putting the ban order on hold pending appeal, but that request was turned down, one of the
government sources said on Tuesday."The (ban) order was detailed, there was no ground to give an interim stay," said the official, who
declined to be named as the decision is not public.AB InBev, which counts popular beer brands such as Budweiser, Hoegaarden and Stella
Artois in its portfolio, said the government's allegations dated back to 2016 before its takeover of SABMiller and it looked forward to
receiving a "fair hearing"."We are strongly committed to operating with integrity and high ethical standards and making the City of Delhi
part of our larger growth story in India," it said in a statement.In recent weeks, AB InBev's senior executives, including vice president
for legal - corporate affairs for South Asia, John K Johnson, appeared before the officials who are hearing the company's appeal, the
second government source and a third person familiar with the matter said.AB InBev is the second biggest player in India's $7 billion beer
market, accounting for a 17.5 per cent market share, according to research firm IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.The case was sparked by a random
inspection of beer bottles at a drinking spot in an upmarket New Delhi neighbourhood in 2016.The order, issued on July 16, said it was
"reasonable to believe" same barcodes were duplicated multiple times and supplied to various retail vendors in Delhi, amounting to the
offence of selling non-duty paid liquor.Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on
TheIndianSubcontinent.com
Catch all the Live TV action on TheIndianSubcontinent 24x7 and TheIndianSubcontinent India
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.
