Guwahati flyover birthday party: Businessman arrested for Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu stunt
Synopsis
A Guwahati businessman turned a newly inaugurated flyover into a birthday party venue — complete with a red carpet and parked cars. The videos went viral, Assam Police moved fast, two vehicles were seized, and Gautam Baruah is now in custody. The stunt has reignited a sharp national conversation about who really controls public infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
Gautam Baruah , a Guwahati -based businessman, was arrested on 23 June for allegedly hosting a birthday party on the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu flyover.
Videos showed the flyover decked with a red carpet and decorations, with vehicles parked on the bridge.
Assam Police seized two vehicles bearing registration numbers AS01GH0003 and AS01GK0772 .
The celebration reportedly disrupted traffic on the newly inaugurated bridge, a key connectivity project in the region.
Police confirmed further legal action will follow based on the investigation's findings.
A Guwahati-based businessman was arrested by Assam Police on Tuesday, 23 June after videos of a private birthday celebration held on the newly inaugurated Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu flyover went viral, triggering widespread public outrage over the brazen misuse of public infrastructure. The accused, identified as Gautam Baruah, allegedly organised the event on the bridge to mark his wife's birthday.
What the Videos Showed
Visuals that circulated widely online showed a stretch of the flyover converted into a makeshift party venue, complete with a red carpet, decorative arrangements, and parked vehicles. The footage drew sharp condemnation from netizens, many of whom questioned how a public thoroughfare built for commuters could be commandeered for a private function. Concerns were also raised over possible traffic disruptions and apparent lapses in enforcement.
Police Action and Seizures
Acting on the viral footage and the subsequent public backlash, police registered a case and launched a formal investigation. As part of the probe, authorities seized two vehicles allegedly used during the event, bearing registration numbers AS01GH0003 and AS01GK0772. Baruah was subsequently detained for questioning to establish the circumstances under which the celebration was organised and whether any prior permission had been obtained from the relevant authorities for use of the flyover.
Impact on Traffic and Commuters
According to officials, the celebration caused inconvenience to motorists and disrupted the movement of vehicles on the recently opened bridge, which is described as a key connectivity project in the region. The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu had only recently been inaugurated, making the incident particularly contentious. Police confirmed that further legal action would follow based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Public Reaction and Broader Debate
The incident has reignited debate over public discipline and accountability in Assam. Several residents and social media users argued that permitting private celebrations on public infrastructure sets a dangerous precedent, and called for exemplary punishment to deter similar incidents. This is not the first time in India that newly inaugurated public infrastructure has been misused for personal events — a pattern that critics say reflects inadequate enforcement and insufficient deterrence.
Point of View
But the more uncomfortable question is how the party was set up on a major public flyover without anyone stopping it in real time — only viral outrage triggered action. India repeatedly sees newly inaugurated infrastructure misused within weeks of opening, and enforcement kicks in only after social media pressure. If prior permission was neither sought nor denied, the accountability gap runs wider than one businessman. The real test is whether the investigation surfaces how the venue was secured and who, if anyone, looked the other way.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Gautam Baruah arrested in Guwahati?
Gautam Baruah was arrested by Assam Police on 23 June after videos of a private birthday party he allegedly organised on the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu flyover went viral. Police registered a case following public outrage over the misuse of the newly inaugurated public bridge.
What is the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu?
The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu is a recently inaugurated flyover in Guwahati, Assam, described by officials as a key regional connectivity project. Its misuse for a private celebration drew particular criticism given that it had only recently been opened to the public.
What action has Assam Police taken so far?
Police registered a case, seized two vehicles used during the event (registration numbers AS01GH0003 and AS01GK0772), and detained Gautam Baruah for questioning. Authorities confirmed that further legal action will follow based on the investigation's findings.
Was any permission obtained to use the flyover for the party?
According to reports, part of the investigation is focused on determining whether prior permission was obtained from the relevant authorities. Officials have not confirmed that any such permission was granted.
What broader concerns has this incident raised?
The incident has reignited debate over public discipline and the misuse of government infrastructure in India. Residents and social media users have called for exemplary punishment, arguing that private use of public infrastructure sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
