Seven people, including the manager and staff members of a bar in Guwahati’s Khanapara area, have been arrested after a video showing a woman allegedly being assaulted at the establishment surfaced on social media.
The incident reportedly took place at The Locals Bar Cum Restaurant at around 2.30 am on October 2. Dispur police said a preliminary examination of CCTV footage showed several men and women allegedly assaulting the woman inside the premises before dragging her towards the basement.
Police alleged that the woman was pulled by her hair and clothes and assaulted again in the basement, where she appeared to become semi-conscious. Several people allegedly involved were associated with the bar’s management and staff, police said.
However, an unofficial account attributed to the establishment disputed the version circulating online. It claimed the woman had entered with a female friend, was heavily intoxicated and later got into an argument with another person and staff members.
According to the account, a female bouncer asked her to leave after the confrontation escalated. The woman allegedly threw wine at the bouncer and attempted to strike her with a glass, causing the glass to break and injure the bouncer, who reportedly required 16 stitches. The account claimed the bouncer slapped the woman while trying to remove her from the premises.
The club further claimed that the confrontation moved to the basement parking area, where the woman fell and later refused medical assistance. It denied that she was stripped or assaulted by any male employee, saying the physical confrontation involved the woman and female security staff.
Police, however, have registered a suo motu case and arrested seven people associated with the establishment. The accused are Justin D. Areng, 28, the bar manager; Nikebur Zaman Sarkar alias Nikebur Zaman Sardar alias Roman, 30, event manager; Jhumpa Sinha, 23, front office executive; Usha Devi, 22; Manju Das, 26; Gourav Mahanta, 21; and Dino Sona, 21.
Police said the bar was allegedly operating beyond its permitted closing time of 12.30 am and had not informed the local police station about the incident. Dispur police registered Case No. 726/2026 under Sections 61(2), 117(2), 74, 75, 109 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The investigation is continuing, with police examining CCTV footage, the alleged roles of those involved, the circumstances of the incident and possible violations. The club’s account remains disputed and unofficial, while the allegations are subject to the ongoing legal process.
