AGARTALA, Sep 10 (TIWN): Agartala Happiest Hour Bar, which came under controversy for getting a space to open on the government office top floor, now has received a show cause notice, issued by the Excise department, for violating liquor serving timing. According to the notice, signed by Abhiram Debbarma, TCS, Superintendent of Excise Dept West District, served to the owner Gautam Debnath, the bar allegedly served liquors at "late night."

The notice says that the bar should operate from 11 AM to 11 PM, but it exceeded the permitted times and served liquor "late-night."

"WHEREAS. license vide No. 97 dated. 1 1-04-2025 was issued by the Collector of Excise. West Tripura District in favour of Sri Goutam Debnath for the establishment of BAR for IMFL. FMFI+ BEER or any other intoxicants as per the Tripura Excise Act & Rules, in loose consumption on licensed premises," the show-cause notice states.

"WHEREAS, it was published in different daily newspapers that the Happiest Hour Bar at the Rooftop of U.D. Bhawan. Near Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan. Agartala was functioning and serving liquor late night on 06th September, 2025."

"On scrutiny of CCTV footage from the Networking Video Recorder (NVR) of the Happiest Hour Bar, it has been established that the aforesaid Bar was functioning and serving liquor from 11:00 PM onwards on date, 06-09-2025, which leads prima facie against Sri Goutam Debnath, Licensee of Happiest I-lour BAR Ibr, breaching clause 8 of the aforesaid license............ as per Clause 18 of the aforesaid BAR license. wherein stated "Infringement of any of the above conditions may subject the holder of this license to forfeiture of the license and to all or any of the penalties prescribed by law or Rule".

"NOW. THEREFORE. Sri Goutam Debnath, Licensee of Happiest Hour BAR is hereby asked as to why his Bar license shall not be cancelled or suspended as per Section 40 (I) (c) of the Tripura Excise Act. 1987 for violation of Clause 8 of the license vide No. 97 dated. 1104-2025," the notice asked. "In this regard, you are hereby directed to submit your explanation within 3 (three) days from the date of receipt of this show-cause notice, failing which ex parte decision will be taken as per the prevailing Act & Rules of Tripura Excise made thereunder."