Puri: A tourist couple from Karnataka’s Mysuru was allegedly assaulted at a restaurant near Swargadwar in Odisha’s Puri following differences over a food bill, prompting police to step in and launch an investigation.
According to Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening after the couple complained to the restaurant management about finding a hair in their food. The restaurant subsequently served them a fresh dish.
The couple later questioned why they were also being charged for the food item that they had rejected after finding the hair. The issue reportedly led to an argument with the restaurant manager, following which the situation escalated.
The couple alleged that they were assaulted inside the restaurant after they refused to pay the amount charged for the discarded food item.
Bharat Chandra, one of the tourists, alleged that when his wife objected to the restaurant management’s behaviour, she was attacked with a plate. He further alleged that the restaurant’s shutter was closed and members of their group were assaulted inside the premises
His wife, Susmita, who said she is pregnant, alleged that she suffered injuries to her face and hand, while her husband sustained an injury to his ear during the incident.
The couple said they had travelled from Mysuru to Puri along with other members of their group for darshan of Lord Jagannath.
After receiving information, a team from Sea Beach Police Station reached the restaurant and took the injured persons to hospital for treatment.
The SP said complaints have been lodged by both sides and police have registered cases. Police have seized CCTV footage from the restaurant and are examining it to ascertain what exactly had happened.