Eatery denies entry to street kids, Delhi government orders probe

Incident took place when a lady, accompanied by eight underprivileged kids, went to a restaurant to celebrate her husband's birthday

A restaurant in Connaught Place, New Delhi denied serve to underprivileged children accompanied by a writer Sonali Shetty, according to a report in The Times of India.

The Delhi government has ordered an enquiry. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia termed the incident as an example of typical 'colonial mindset'. He said if the allegations were found to be true then the licence of the restaurant will be cancelled.

"This is typical colonial mindset. Can't be tolerated. Have ordered DM New Delhi to in quire & report within 24 hours," he said in his tweet. "I had taken 8 underprivileged children for lunch to Shiv Sagar restaurant but the staff there denied to serve us. I was also ridiculed and threatened to keep off the restaurant," Sonali told The Times of India.

 

DNA, in its report, said that when police reached the spot, Sonali complained about misbehaviour of the restaurant owner's relative and the staff with her and the children. She had called the police when she was protesting outside the restaurant.  "I went there at around 4 pm with the children but we were again denied entry to which I took the children to a nearby food outlet and fed them," she said. She also said, "I have already given a written complaint to the police in this regard".

Despite calling the Shiv Sagar restaurant owner several times, he did not pick up the calls of the writer. 

The District Magistrate visited the restaurant on Sunday and questioned the staff, reported The Times of India. "The DM asked the waiters and other staff of the restaurant about the yesterday's incident and noted it down," said a restaurant staff member. Meanwhile the police said that the matter is being investigated but no case has been registered so far. 

Sonali Shetty termed this incident as 'failure' of the society and she protested outside the restaurant for 10 hours but nothing happened. She also alleged that the policemen who came to the spot did not cooperate with her and instead 'reprimanded' her asked to take the children to some other place. Sonali's husband serves in the Indian Army.