Controversial license for the newly launched ‘Happiest Hour’ bar cancelled by DM (west) Dr Vishal Kumar

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 16, 2025

Setting aside all speculations Tripura government has finally acted tough by cancelling the license given to the controversial ‘Happiest Hour’ bar recently launched on the top floor of the multi-storied building of the Urban Development department south of the Rabindra Shata Varshiki Bhawan. In a special order the DM (west) and collector of exercise Dr Vishal Kumar has said today that “ in exercise of the powers vested under Section 40 (1) © of the Tripura Excise Act-1987 the license vide No 97, Dated 11.04.2025 issued in favour of Sri Goutam Debnath in the name of ‘Happiest Hour’ Bar stands cancelled with immediate effect”.

In his official order Dr Vishal Kumar has further directed the licensee Sri Goutam Debnath “to stop all operations connected with the said license forthwith and to submit the original license documents to the office of the undersigned”-that is, the DM (west) office. Virtually doubling down on the order the DM has directed that “all stocks of liquor, beer etc and records relating to excise business along with NVR of CCTV footage shall be produced before the superintendent of excise for further necessary action”. Any violation of the of the directions given in DM’s order will invite further penal action , including prosecution as per provisions of the Tripura Excise Act 1987.

The order of the DM (west) Dr Vishal Kumar thus brings the curtain down on a shady chapter in the bar business opened by reputed builder Goutam Debnath who enjoys patronage of a faction of the ruling party. After the bar had recently been opened it was given out that it would also serve as a night club with all its ancillaries like cabaret dance , music and ball dance and only couples would be allowed in the bar at night. All the opposition parties and a large section of common people were outraged by the opening of the bar as it stood just to the south of Rabindra Shata Varshiki Bhawan and there were protests also. Before unveiling his bar Goutam Debnath is reported to have taken a group of media persons on a pleasure trip to Mumbai, perhaps to preclude any criticism in the media but the ploy obviously failed to produce any result .

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