A 33-year-old woman allegedly fell ill after consuming food served by a five-star luxury hotel in central Delhi, prompting the police to register a case and launch an investigation into the matter, officials said on Tuesday.
The woman, who checked into the hotel on January 20, called the police on January 24 and complained that she had been repeatedly falling sick after consuming food served by the hotel. Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 286 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances) of the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita.
A police team was immediately dispatched to the hotel to verify the complaint. However, upon arriving at the scene, the officers found that the woman was not responding despite several knocks on the door of her hotel room, and they took the help of hotel staff to open the door.
‘Severe discomfort’
Upon entering the room, the police team found her in a conscious state, but the 33-year-old complained of severe discomfort. She was then shifted to Lady Hardinge Medical College Hospital, where she has been kept under observation, the police said, adding that her medical condition is currently being monitored.
Meanwhile, a crime team was called to the hotel to examine the room. During the inspection, the team seized 16 exhibits, including suspected food items and liquids found in the room.
These items were sealed and taken into police custody for further forensic examination to determine whether they contained any poisonous or harmful substances.
“The woman expressed severe discomfort and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The doctors’ reports and the forensic analysis of the seized food items are awaited,” a police official said.
The police added that further investigation is under way to ascertain the exact cause of the woman’s illness and to determine whether there was any negligence or foul play involved. The forensic reports are yet to be received, and officials said the next course of action will depend on the medical and laboratory findings.
Published – January 28, 2026 01:40 am IST
