Alleged Extortion Incident at Bengaluru Airport Outlet

The Rameshwaram Cafe, a renowned south Indian restaurant chain, has filed a police complaint against a group accused of attempting to extort Rs 25 lakh by staging a false food contamination incident. The controversy erupted when a customer claimed to have found a worm in his meal at the cafe’s Bengaluru airport outlet. A video purportedly showing the worm quickly gained traction on social media, prompting widespread attention.

Restaurant’s Response to Allegations

In response to the viral video, The Rameshwaram Cafe’s management issued a statement asserting that the incident was orchestrated by a group of five to seven individuals. The group allegedly created a public disturbance and threatened to spread the video online unless they received monetary compensation. Shortly after the incident, the cafe reportedly received a phone call demanding Rs 25 lakh to prevent reputational damage.

Evidence Submitted to Authorities

The Rameshwaram Cafe has taken decisive action by submitting call records, message screenshots, and other evidence to law enforcement. The restaurant is seeking immediate legal intervention to address what it describes as an attempted blackmail scheme. Founder Divya Raghav emphasized the cafe’s commitment to food safety and hygiene, particularly at high-profile locations like airports where stringent quality checks are routine.

Past Incidents and Ongoing Legal Pursuit

Divya Raghav highlighted that similar extortion attempts have occurred in the past, with individuals allegedly placing foreign objects in food. She affirmed the cafe’s resolve not to yield to intimidation or blackmail and expressed full cooperation with authorities to expose and deter such unethical practices. The cafe urged the public and media to avoid sharing unverified content that could mislead consumers and harm reputable businesses.