Delhi Restaurant Aquila, Which Denied Entry To Saree-Clad Woman, Shuts Over Invalid Trade Licence

SDMC officials said on Wednesday that a closure notice was issued to the Aquila Restaurant located at Ansal Plaza in Andrews Ganj for operating without a valid licence.

New Delhi: The restaurant which allegedly denied entry to a woman last week for wearing a saree has shut down after coming under fire for operating without a proper trade licence. It was issued a closure notice by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, following which the owner shut operations, PTI reported.

SDMC officials said on Wednesday that a closure notice was issued to the Aquila Restaurant located at Ansal Plaza in Andrews Ganj for operating without a valid licence.

According to the report, during September 21, 2021 check, a public health inspector that the facility is running without a health trade licence and under unhygienic conditions. The notice which was issued on September 24, 2021 also flagged encroachment on public land.

"The public health inspector again inspected the site on September 24 and found that the trade is running under the same condition. You are directed to close the trade within 48 hours of the receipt of this notice failing which suitable action including sealing will be taken without assigning further notice," the SDMC notice issued to the restaurant-owner said according to PTI. 

In his response on September 27, the owner said, "I have closed-down the above-said trade immediately and 1 shall not run the same trade without SDMC Trade Licence under the insanitary condition from the health point of view and create a nuisance."

Last week, videos from the restaurant were going viral after a woman alleged she was denied entry into the restaurant as she was in a saree not dressed in semi-casuals.

The woman had also posted a short video of her argument with the restaurant staff, alongside a couple of pictures of herself in the saree.

The restaurant posted their side of the argument said that the woman misbehaved with a staff member and that she was denied entry because the restaurant was full. The National Commission for Women (NCW) had on September 23 had asked the Delhi Police to probe the incident.

In the SDMC House meeting Wednesday, Congress councillor from Andrews Ganj Abhishek Dutt raised the issue and moved a proposal demanding a fine of ₹ 5 lakh be imposed against any restaurant, bar or hotel that denies entry to any person wearing traditional Indian attire.

"The restaurant was running illegally without licence. The notice was issued to the eatery only after I raised the issue. Now, the authorities have informed that the restaurant has been shut. It is a matter of probe that how the restaurant was running without a licence," he told PTI.