Agartala, Sept 16: In a decisive move, District Magistrate of West Tripura, Dr Vishal Kumar, IAS, on Tuesday cancelled the licence of “Happiest Hour” Bar located on the rooftop of U.D. Bhawan near Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan, citing multiple violations of the Tripura Excise Act and licence conditions. The cancellation, effective immediately, followed serious irregularities uncovered during an official probe.
The bar, run by licensee Goutam Debnath, was found serving liquor beyond the permitted hours on September 6, 2025. According to licence norms, bars in Tripura are allowed to operate only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. However, CCTV footage and reports confirmed that liquor was served well past midnight, accompanied by a DJ-cum-dance event organised without prior approval from police or competent authorities. Officials remarked that such activities resembled “night club culture,” which was not permitted under the licence.
Investigations further revealed that liquor was served in unauthorised enclosures in violation of Clause 5 of the bar operation guidelines. The licensee also failed to submit the mandatory list of employees, as required under Clause 16. Despite show-cause notices issued on September 10 and 12, Debnath neither replied within the stipulated time nor provided a defence, which the authorities treated as admission of guilt.
Calling the violations a “serious breach of law and deliberate disregard of regulatory provisions,” the District Magistrate invoked Clause 18 of the licence agreement and ordered the cancellation of Licence No. 97 dated April 11, 2025. Debnath has been directed to immediately hand over the original licence documents, liquor stocks, business records, and CCTV footage to the Superintendent of Excise. The order warned that non-compliance would attract penal action, including prosecution under the Tripura Excise Act, 1987.
The bar’s location had long been controversial. U.D. Bhawan, where it operated, was originally owned by a chit fund company that collapsed after a SEBI crackdown. Depositors reportedly lost nearly ₹14,000 crore in fraudulent schemes. The building was later ordered by the court to be used solely for government offices.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha had earlier ordered a probe after allegations surfaced that the bar was being promoted as a nightclub. Meanwhile, the CBI continues to investigate the larger chit fund scam linked to the building’s past.
