Businessman, 13 others held for birthday bash on Brahmaputra bridge

Amid debates on Indian tourists showboating or creating a nuisance in public spaces abroad, a Guwahati-based businessman was arrested on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) for celebrating his wife’s birthday on the newest bridge across the Brahmaputra River.

Thirteen others, including women, were also arrested for participating in the birthday bash. Four high-end vehicles used for the celebration were seized.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jayanta Sarathi Bora said the police learnt about the celebration from a video on social media on Monday (June 22, 2026) evening.

“While verifying the video, we identified the owner of one of the vehicles featured and called him. He told us that he celebrated his wife’s 42nd birthday on the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu on the intervening night of June 21 and 22,” he told The Hindu.

The Bharalumukh police station arrested the businessman, identified as Gautam Baruah, along with the others. They were booked under Sections 285 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 270 (public nuisance), and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The police did not accept Mr Baruah’s claim that the celebration, involving firecrackers and a red carpet laid out on one of the lanes on the bridge, lasted only five minutes.

“People are expected to exercise their civic sense in public spaces. Celebrating a birthday on a strategic road or bridge for whatever the duration is unacceptable,” Mr Bora said.

Misuse of public infrastructure flagged

Soon after the video went viral on social media, netizens said the event was a misuse of public infrastructure for a private function, a violation of traffic rules, and a threat to road safety. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, one of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s pet projects, in February. The ₹3,030-crore bridge connects Guwahati and North Guwahati.