GUWAHATI: The liquor licence of The Locals in Guwahati has been suspended following an incident involving the physical assault of a woman customer on its premises, while two other bars have been fined ₹1 lakh each for violations of excise rules and licence conditions.
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According to separate orders issued by the District Commissioner’s office of Kamrup Metropolitan district, the licences of Club Blues in Kahilipara and Kharkaa Bar cum Restaurant in Lalmati have been penalised with fines of ₹1 lakh each.
The order against The Locals, operated by M/s SR Enterprise, stated that a woman customer was physically assaulted on the premises on October 1. An inquiry was conducted by the Excise Department following directions from the District Commissioner, and a show-cause notice was issued to the licence holder.
The inquiry report and the reply submitted by the licensee confirmed that the incident took place on the licensed premises. The order also stated that the establishment had remained open beyond the permitted closing time of 12:30 AM, in violation of Rule 127(i) of the Assam Excise Rules, 2016, and the licence conditions.
Terming the violations and the incident a major irregularity and misconduct, the District Commissioner suspended The Locals’ IMFL “ON” licence, bearing No. 09/2017-18, with immediate effect until further orders under Section 30(1)(c) of the Assam Excise Act, 2000.
Meanwhile, Club Blues, located on Kahilipara Main Road, and Kharkaa Bar cum Restaurant, situated on the first floor of D.K. Tower in Lalmati near Game Village, were each fined ₹1 lakh.
The orders stated that the fines were imposed after considering petitions submitted by the respective licence holders in response to show-cause notices dated October 12. The offences were compounded under Section 76 of the Assam Excise Act, 2000, as amended, for violations covered under Section 58(b) of the Act.
Both establishments were directed to deposit the fine within two days of the issuance of the respective orders. The orders warned that failure to pay within the stipulated period would lead to suspension of their licences.
The District Commissioner also cautioned both licence holders to strictly comply with all applicable rules, regulations and orders, warning that further violations could invite stricter action under the Assam Excise Act and Rules.
