According to the complaint, the individuals then threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were compensated.
Published Jul 25, 2025 | 12:14 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 12:14 PM
File photo of Rameshwaram Cafe.
Synopsis: Rameshwaram Café filed a police complaint on July 25, alleging a group staged a false food contamination incident at its Bengaluru airport outlet to extort ₹25 lakhs. The café submitted evidence and denied the claims, calling it a malicious act. Founder Divya Raghav affirmed strict hygiene standards and vowed legal action against those attempting to blackmail the brand.
The popular food chain, Rameshwaram Cafe, on Friday, 25 July filed a complaint against a group of individuals alleging that they had attempted to malign the brand and extort money by staging a false incident of food contamination at its Bengaluru airport outlet.
According to the formal complaint lodged by the brand’s Operations Head, the incident occurred on Thursday, 24 July morning, when a group of five to seven individuals created a public disturbance, falsely alleging that the food served contained an insect.
According to the complaint, the individuals then threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were compensated. Shortly after, the team received a phone call demanding ₹25 lakhs in cash to avoid reputational harm to the brand.
The complaint read: “Mahesh, the manager of the Bengaluru airport branch, claimed that a group of 5 to 7 passengers had complained about the quality of food served at his outlet and threatened to defame the Rameshwaram Café brand by spreading the allegation on social media. He asked Sumanth, who is at the Bengaluru branch, to call him back on mobile number. When Sumanth attempted to return the call, there was no response. Subsequently, he received a WhatsApp call from an international number, during which the caller demanded Rs. 25 lakhs be delivered to Brigade Road.”
It further added, “The caller threatened to malign the brand’s reputation on social media by falsely claiming the food was bad if the amount was not paid. A police complaint was filed, requesting legal action against the individual and any parties supporting the extortion attempt.”
In response, The Rameshwaram Café has submitted call records, message screenshots, and other documentation to the police, requesting immediate legal action against the blackmail attempt.
Dismissing the allegations, Divya Raghav, founder of The Rameshwaram Café, in a press release stated, “We categorically deny the baseless accusation that a worm or insect was found in our food. The safety and hygiene of our food preparation are non-negotiable. We operate under the strictest quality protocols, especially at sensitive locations like airports, where routine audits and hygiene checks are mandatory. This is clearly a case of a staged act with malicious intent to extort money and malign our brand.”
Divya further added, “There have been similar attempts in the past where in different instances customers have put stones, insects in the food but were caught red-handed. We will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will pursue stringent legal action to ensure such unethical acts are exposed and discouraged.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
