Excise dept seals bar for operating beyond closing time, staff abusing officers

Bhubaneswar: Valentine’s Day celebrations at a bar in Kharavel Nagar area here took a dramatic turn early on Sunday, ending not with music and laughter but with police sirens and sealed doors.Excise officers arrived at the bar at 1:30 am, well past the permitted closing time of midnight. Bars in the city are allowed to function from 12 pm to 12 am with a 30-minute grace period normally given to wind down operations, but the venue had launched a fresh party at 1 am, excise officers said.The inspection team, led by excise superintendent Debashish Patel, found the premises crowded with revellers, music blaring and drinks still being served.Patel recounted that staff members hurled abuses at officers, demanded they leave and even threatened dire consequences if legal action was pursued. “They were extremely unruly and aggressive. We had no choice but to call in Kharavel Nagar police for support,” Patel said. An FIR has been lodged against the bar employees involved.Excise department has sealed the bar for violations of operating hours and misconduct toward govt officers.

Patel said that a proposal will be sent to cancel the bar’s licence. “We will not tolerate such defiance. Bars must respect the rules and cooperate with inspections,” he said.While Kharavel Nagar police have detained three bar employees for their alleged involvement in the incident, excise officers have collected CCTV footage to verify the bar’s daily closure timings. “We suspect this was not an isolated incident, as complaints had previously come against the establishment for frequent breaches of licence norms,” Patel said.The department said that the crackdown was a stern reminder to bar owners across the state. The department has warned of stringent measures against any venue flouting regulations. “We urge owners to sensitise their staff and managers. Zero tolerance will be adopted for violations,” Patel said.