A restaurant owner alleged that Madhya Pradesh Health and Medical Education Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel and his supporters kicked up a ruckus at the eatery on Sunday after some “confusion” over his table booking. The minister denied the allegation, saying he visited the restaurant for an inspection.
The owner of a restaurant in Gwalior, Sanjay Arora, told reporters that minister Patel’s supporters were upset after they were told that a table had been booked upstairs. He said that they allegedly thrashed the staff and created a commotion for about an hour.
“There was a confusion about under whose reference they arrived. Their tables were reserved. He began abusing us and telling us that I am a minister and you still don’t understand. I apologised and told him I don’t know you by face. I was later slapped and was threatened with a kitchen inspection,” a hotel staffer said.
Calling the allegations baseless, Patel said he visited the restaurant as part of an inspection undertaken by food safety authorities.
“I carried out several tasks after arriving in Gwalior on Sunday, including inspecting medical colleges and hospitals. I also reviewed the work of the food department,” he said.
“It was a routine inspection. It was appropriate for me to be present during the sampling. A cooking oil sample failed right in front of me. There is a recording of it,” the minister said.
Patel said the allegations against him are part of a plan to avoid legal action. “Other food samples have also been collected, and they will be tested. We are trying to improve the system,” he said.
Patel also said he had not gone to the restaurant to eat. “I attended a wedding reception at the Madhya Pradesh Speaker’s place and had food there. The allegations are false,” he said.
