Court bothers Bengaluru municipality after cancellation of a restaurant license

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has come under fire from the High Court for withdrawing the trade licence issued to a non-vegetarian restaurant in Jayanagar 4th Block.

The licence, given to Coastal Biriyani Paradise on 7th Main, Jayanagar 4th Block, on November 2, was withdrawn within seven days, allegedly at the instance of the local MLA. The reason given was the lack of adequate parking space and the neighbours’ complaints about serving non-vegetarian food in that area, reported a National Daily.

The BBMP (South) Health Officer cancelled the hotel’s licence on November 9. Vijendra, the restaurant’s owner, claimed his eatery was being singled out, and challenged the health officer’s order in the High Court.

After hearing his petition on Tuesday, Justice Ravi Malimath stayed the order and issued notices to the BBMP commissioner, the joint commissioner (south) and the health officer.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, K B Monesh Kumar, said his client had invested `1.5 crore in the hotel. Though Vijendra had obtained the Trade License Certificate from the BBMP and the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India, the Palike had cancelled the license unilaterally, he argued.

He also contended that the health officer had based his order on an anonymous complaint and the recommendation of the local MLA. The petitioner claimed

that the anonymous complaint might have come from a business rival.

Coastal Biriyani Paradise’s Petition

·     There are several commercial establishments, hotels and restaurants, including a non-vegetarian one, in the locality that don’t have parking facility.

·     On November 2, the restaurant was granted licence under the Food Safety and Standards

·      Act of 2006, five months after the BBMP had issued it trade licence.

·      The said MLA had inaugurated a non-vegetarian restaurant adjacent to Coastal Biriyani Paradise just six months ago.