Chennai Shop Owner Selling Biryani For Rs 10 A Plate Arrested; Why?

Chennai: A shop owner’s strategy of selling biryani at Rs 10 per plate fell flat on his face. The Tamil Nadu police arrested him because his gimmick led to crowding in Aruppukottai area in Virudhunagar district, India Today reported.

Hundreds of people lined up outside 29-year-old Zahir Hussain’s shop after they saw his advertisement of ‘Rs 10/plate biryani’, India Today reported quoting The News Minute (TNM).

The advertisement also mentioned that the offer would be valid only for two hours from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday. The report added that people started gathering in front of the shop by 11 am, but no social distancing norms were being followed. Soon, people spilling out onto the street and blocking traffic.

While 2500 packets of biryani were reportedly prepared, the police entered the scene at a time when less than half of the stock was sold.

According to TNM, two policemen were also stationed in front of the shop to prevent further crowding of people and Zahir was taken into custody.

A police officer, probing the case, arranged for the remaining packets to be distributed to those in need, the report added.

Meanwhile, the police registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC including 188 [Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant], 269 [Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life], and 278 [Making atmosphere noxious to health] and the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act, the report said.