Guwahati, April 30: The Kamrup Metropolitan district administration has cancelled the licence of Exoro, a rooftop pub in the Bhangagarh area of Guwahati, for allegedly operating well beyond the legally permitted hours under excise regulations.
The action was taken on April 29 following the surfacing of video footage that purportedly shows victims of the recent Mathgharia road accident leaving the establishment late at night, shortly before the fatal incident occurred. Authorities have linked the timing of the pub’s operations to the sequence of events under investigation.
Kamrup Metropolitan District Commissioner Swapneel Paul issued the cancellation order after noting that the pub had remained open until at least 3 am. This was found to be in violation of the 12:30 am closing time mandated under the conditions of its IMFL ON licence.
In addition to revoking the licence, the district administration has directed the Excise Department to carry out a detailed inquiry into the functioning of the establishment. Officials have been asked to submit a comprehensive report within 15 days.
Earlier the same day, Gauhati High Court advocate Geetima Borah filed a First Information Report at Noonmati Police Station against the bar-cum-restaurant. The complaint alleged that the venue continued to serve customers beyond permissible hours in clear violation of excise norms.
The FIR further raised concerns that the alleged regulatory breach may have played a role in the circumstances leading up to the Mathgharia accident. It also questioned the role of excise authorities, pointing to a lack of enforcement despite established operational limits.
The development has intensified scrutiny over the regulation of late-night establishments in Guwahati, with growing concerns about compliance, oversight, and public safety.
