A complaint filed by a hotel owner at Kunnamangalam alleging that three men deliberately placed an insect in food served at the establishment has prompted a police investigation, adding a new dimension to an earlier controversy that led to the hotel’s temporary closure.
Hotel owner Rafiq alleged that the three men, who dined at the hotel late on September 12, brought the insect with them and placed it in the food before creating a dispute. He submitted CCTV footage to the police on Friday (September 18) in support of his allegation.
The complaint was filed after videos showing an insect in food served at the hotel were circulated on social media. Food Safety officials inspected the hotel the following day, following which the establishment was closed. It was subsequently reopened after the owner produced food safety certificates.
Mr. Rafiq alleged that the three men demanded ₹2 lakh as compensation from him following the incident. One of those named in the complaint, Anwar, a resident of Kalaranthiri Vattathampoyil in Koduvally, denied the allegations. He claimed that the CCTV footage produced by the hotel owner was an edited one.
The police have begun an investigation based on Mr. Rafiq’s complaint. The allegations made by the hotel owner and the counterclaim regarding the CCTV footage have yet to be established.
Meanwhile, a local coordination committee of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi took out a protest march in Kunnamangalam town, demanding action against those accused of creating a ruckus at the hotel. They said there were suspected attempts to tarnish the image of the hotel owner and blackmail him for money.
Published – September 18, 2026 07:08 pm IST
