By TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th September 2025: The West Tripura District Excise Department has cancelled the license of Happiest Hour Bar, located on the rooftop of U.D. Bhawan near Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan, after finding multiple violations of the Tripura Excise Act and license conditions.
According to an order issued by Dr. Vishal Kumar, IAS, Collector of Excise, the bar was found serving liquor beyond the permissible hours of 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on September 6, 2025. Excise officials also reported that liquor was served in unauthorized enclosures and that a DJ and dance programme was organized without permission, creating what was described as a “night club culture.”
During a hearing on September 12, representatives of the bar admitted to serving liquor past the prescribed hours and hosting the event. CCTV footage further confirmed late-night consumption and dancing inside the premises.
The licensee, Sri Goutam Debnath, Chairman and Managing Director of Oval Projects Engineering Pvt. Ltd., failed to respond to two show-cause notices issued earlier this month. The department also noted his failure to submit the mandatory list of staff working at the bar, in violation of license conditions.
The order stated that these actions amounted to a “serious breach of law” and demonstrated negligence in adhering to excise regulations. Exercising powers under Section 40 (1)(c) of the Tripura Excise Act, 1987, the license issued in April 2025 was cancelled with immediate effect.
The bar has been directed to stop operations, surrender its license documents, and produce all liquor stocks, records, and CCTV footage to the Excise Department. Non-compliance may invite further penal action, including prosecution.
