Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 | Last Update : 02:29 PM IST
SDM probe finds Connaught Place eatery guilty
The Delhi government’s magisterial probe has found the Connaught Place restaurant “guilty” of refusing to serve food to underprivileged children because they were “poor and dirty.” These children had
The Delhi government’s magisterial probe has found the Connaught Place restaurant “guilty” of refusing to serve food to underprivileged children because they were “poor and dirty.” These children had been invited for a meal at the Shiv Sagar Restaurant in Janpath by a Dehradun-based writer, Sonali Shetty, last week to celebrate her husband’s birthday.
The report, submitted by sub-divisional magistrate (Chankyapuri), says the refusal by the restaurant clearly establishes “discriminatory behaviour” by its management and staff against the underprivileged children on a socio-economic basis, which violates human rights and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
A Delhi government spokesperson said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is studying the sub-divisional magistrate’s report, adding that the AAP government will take strict action against the restaurant’s management as per the rules.
“It is evident that the children were denied food by the restaurant despite the fact that they were ready to pay for the same, because they were ‘poor and dirty.’ This refusal clearly establishes discriminatory behaviour of the restaurant management against the children on a socio-economic basis. Such an act violates human rights and fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” the report said.
On June 12, the restaurant had allegedly denied entry to unprivileged children accompanied by Ms Shetty, which had prompted the city government to order an inquiry into the matter.
Mr Sisodia had termed the incident as an example of a typical “colonial mindset” and said if the allegations against the restaurant were found true, its licence would be cancelled. Ms Shetty had taken some underprivileged children for lunch to the restaurant. But, they were denied service by the staff of the eatery.
“I had taken eight 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,” she had alleged.
