Lens on bars flouting timing rule after drink-driving crash

Guwahati: The fatal accident that claimed three lives on Sunday after the driver and the three occupants consumed liquor at a bar that remained open till 3 am, well beyond the permitted closing time of 12.30 am, has exposed widespread violations of excise rules by late-night establishments.


“Although bars with late-night licences are allowed to operate only till 12.30 am, many routinely flout the norms and continue serving alcohol beyond permissible hours citing different excuses. Drives are often conducted and actions, including imposing penalties, are taken against those flouting excise rules,” said Debajit Nath, superintendent of excise, Kamrup (Metro) district.


He added that there are only five hotels with round the clock liquor sale permission in the city, while 80 bars and restaurants have late night licenses that allow sale till 12.30am.


Meanwhile, the district commissioner Swapneel Paul has ordered the immediate suspension of the IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) license of the restaurant cum bar at Guwahati’s Bhangagarh, where the three deceased women had consumed liquor with their now-arrested friend before the road accident occurred at 4.02am on Sunday.


A subsequent report from DCP traffic Jayanta Sarathi Borah revealed a critical link to the establishment. Investigations found that four individuals involved in the accident had visited the restaurant cum bar at Bhangagarh prior to the crash.


The report stated that they consumed food and alcoholic drinks on the premises from 11pm on Saturday and departed around 3am on Sunday, well beyond the legally permitted operating hours.


While the restaurant held a late-closing permission, it was only authorised to serve liquor until 12:30am. By remaining open until 3:00am, the establishment committed a serious violation of Excise Rule 127(I) of the Assam Excise Rules, 2016, as well as its specific license conditions.


“Considering the seriousness of the matter...the undersigned hereby suspends the IMFL ON license of ‘D Tipsy Gaon (EXORO)’ with immediate effect, until further order,” the official notice signed by the DC read.
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