Federation for People’s Rights, an organisation advocating for human rights, has demanded that the Puducherry government shut down all the restobars in the Union Territory (UT) in the wake of the fatal stabbing of a college student at one such outlet in the city in the early hours of Sunday (August 10, 2025).
In a statement, G. Sugumaran, secretary of Federation for People’s Rights, said the killing of Moshik Shanmugapriyan, 22, allegedly by the staff of OMG Pub on Mission Street had sent shockwaves among Puducherry residents.
The failure of the Excise Department and law enforcement authorities to monitor the functioning of restobars had caused the murder, he alleged, adding that the Puducherry government must take responsibility for the incident, he said.
Terming the Excise Department’s order directing the closure of 11 restobars in the city over violation of timings an “eyewash,” Mr. Sugumaran said the department had taken action only after the murder was reported.
The UT has around 251 restobars. Of them, as many as 212 are located in Puducherry. Most of these bars and restobars function till late at night and have become a major cause for concern.
The Federation also blamed the Excise and Police Departments for permitting restobars to engage bouncers, and alleged this had resulted in an increase in crimes. The Puducherry government should intervene and order the immediate closure of all restobars, he added.
Published – August 12, 2025 01:06 pm IST
