Action follows alleged “clear violation” of timing norms; FIR filed as fatal accident raises enforcement concerns
Guwahati: the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration has cancelled the licence of Exoro, a rooftop pub in Guwahati’s Bhangagarh, for allegedly operating beyond permitted hours. The decision comes after video footage surfaced showing victims of the recent Mathgharia accident leaving the establishment late at night, shortly before the crash.
District Commissioner Swapneel Paul issued the order, noting that the pub remained open until at least 3 am, in violation of the 12:30 am limit under its IMFL ON licence. Calling it a “clear violation” of excise rules, he further directed the Excise Department to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report within 15 days.
Meanwhile, Gauhati High Court advocate Geetima Borah lodged an FIR at Noonmati Police Station, alleging that the establishment continued to serve customers beyond legal hours. The complaint also questioned how such violations went unchecked, naming excise officials and raising concerns over regulatory lapses.
The action is linked to the fatal Mathgharia accident early Sunday, where three women, Puja Saha (26), Akanksha Saikia (23), and Armina Ahmed alias Neha, lost their lives after their car rammed into a parked truck around 4 am. While two died on the spot, the third succumbed at GMCH.
Investigative findings further reveal that the group had spent nearly five hours at the bar, with GPS and CCTV data confirming their presence from around 11 pm to 3 am. After leaving, the vehicle moved across key city routes, reaching speeds up to 130 km/h. At the time of the crash at 4:02 am, it was travelling at approximately 96 km/h before hitting a stationary truck, police said.
Consequently, the incident has triggered wider scrutiny of late-night operations and enforcement of excise norms across Guwahati.
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