Delhi restaurant that ‘denied’ entry to woman in saree shut down, here's why

A restaurant in south Delhi made headlined recently as it allegedly denied entry to a woman because she was wearing a saree, which was not as per the dress code of the premises. Now, a notice has been issued to the restaurant, asking the management to shut it down.

Recently, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has issued a notice to the restaurant, asking it to shut down as it has been operating without a proper health trade license and is following unhygienic practices, which is against the rules and regulations of the corporation.

According to SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan, the restaurant in question, Aquila in Ansal Plaza, has been issued a closure notice for operating without a proper license. The notice was issued on September 24, and it mentioned that a health inspector found out they have been operating under unhygienic conditions, without a proper health trade license.

The notice issued by SDMC reads, “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.”

As per media reports, the owner has now closed down the restaurant. He was quoted saying, “I have closed down the above-said trade immediately and I shall not run the same trade without SDMC Trade Licence under the unsanitary conditions from a health point of view and create a nuisance.”

Around a week ago, a video went viral on social media where a woman was saying that she was denied entry in the Aquila restaurant on account of her being in a saree. She also said that the restaurant staff had a very rude and inhospitable behavior, and told her that the dress code for the restaurant is “smart casual.”

The incident sparked outrage across the nation, and National Commission for Women (NCW) urged the Delhi Police to launch a probe in this matter. The restaurant, in its defence, stated that the guest in question had been rude to the staff and slapped the manager, and they welcomed people in all attires, be it traditional or modern.