Tripura Government cancels licence of controversial Bar Club in Agartala

Amid protests from Opposition political events and social teams, the Tripura Authorities has cancelled the licence for the newly opened nightclub cum Bar, which is situated in proximity to a cultural hub in Agartala.

The “Happiest Hour”, owned by a rich enterprise government, nonetheless, was allowed to proceed as a restaurant.

West Tripura District Justice of the Peace Dr. Vishal Kumar on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) knowledgeable that based mostly on the course of the State Authorities, an enquiry was performed which discovered sure irregularities within the rented property on high of the constructing which homes the City Improvement Division and service-orientated authorities places of work. He mentioned sure irregularities have been discovered within the probe, ensuing within the cancellation of the licence.

He mentioned there was no permission given for organising a DJ celebration within the bar adjoining to the Rabindra Bhavan, which is attributed as a cultural landmark in Agartala metropolis. The location additionally has “Sukanta Academy”, which is a science exhibition and analysis centre, a youngsters’s park and shut to 3 royal-era temples.

Outstanding cultural boards like Tripura Sanskriti Samanoy Kendra have vehemently condemned the State Authorities for renting out the highest ground of a constructing which homes the City Improvement Division and different service-orientated authorities centres to “Happiest Hour” – a nightclub cum bar.

Rabindra Bhavan additionally attains significance because it was once the non-public residence of the household of India’s musical icon S.D. Burman and his illustrious son R.D. Burman.

CPI(M) State Secretary and chief of the Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury earlier commented that the time has come for folks to withstand assaults on “our social and cultural values”. He blamed the BJP for practising double requirements on this sphere.

State Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha additionally referred to as for protests towards the opening of a nightclub cum bar within the cultural hub of town. He mentioned there must be protests towards it and demanded motion towards these liable for offering permission.

CPI(M) and Congress blamed the State Authorities for licensing round 100 liquor retailers and quite a few bars within the state to make income and lift a portion of cash. They mentioned the strikes are a direct assault on the normal cultural surroundings and a sinister design to deprave social ethics.

Youth wings of the CPI(M) and Congress organised quite a few protests within the neighborhood of “Happiest Hour” to press demand for the closure of the bar. The federal government didn’t formally make any remark, however the income division, district Justice of the Peace’s workplace and Agartala Municipal Company issued notices on the bar on allegations of sure irregularities.

“Those that have acquired permission to run a bar are suggested to comply with the foundations and circumstances of the licence. We’ll take strict motion wherever we discover non-compliance,” District Justice of the Peace Dr. Vishal Kumar warned.