South Delhi's Aquila Restaurant, Which Denied Entry To Saree-Clad Woman, Shut Down By DMC

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) has issued a closure notice to the Aquila Restaurant at the Ansal Plaza in New Delhi where a woman was allegedly denied entry recently as she was wearing a saree.

However, the civic body doesn’t mention this incident in its notice. Instead, it has claimed that the restaurant was functioning without a health trade license.

Apparently, a public health inspector discovered the same during a check on the place on 21^st September. Furthermore, the municipal corporation even alleged the restaurant of illegally encroaching public land.

One of the senior officials from the South DMC told the Indian Express that Aquila closed down on 27^th September.

“The public health inspector again inspected the site on September 24 and found that the trade is running under the same condition,” the notice read, as reported by the aforementioned publication.

It added, “You are directed to close the trade within 48 hours of the receipt of this notice failing which suitable action including sealing will be taken without assigning further notice.”

The restaurant had actually refused entry to the saree-clad lady in question by saying that only ‘smart casuals’ was permitted inside their premises.

A video of the incident had gone viral last week after which the National Commission for Women took cognizance and asked the Delhi Police chief to probe the incident.

The restaurant issued a statement: “At Aquila, we believe in honouring our Indian community and have always welcomed our guests in all dress codes from modern to traditional.”

They also claimed the woman slapped their staff member. “To tackle the situation and request the guest to leave, one of our gate managers made a statement on sarees not being a part of our smart casual dress code; our whole team apologises for the same,” the statement added.