Pregnant tourist, husband assaulted by restaurant staff over hair in food

 

By Sumesh Rajan | September 27, 2026

Puri, Odisha, INDIA: A tourist couple from Mysuru in Karnataka was allegedly assaulted by employees of a restaurant in Puri following a dispute over food on Wednesday, September 23. evening, with police registering complaints from both sides and launching an investigation into the incident.

The couple, identified as Bharath Chandra (28) and R Sushmitha (23), alleged that they were assaulted after complaining about finding a strand of hair in food served at the restaurant. Sushmitha, who said she is seven months pregnant, claimed she was pushed during the altercation and fell against a dining table, causing severe abdominal pain.

Both sustained injuries, including facial bruises, and were taken to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

Dispute allegedly began over hair found in food

According to the couple's complaint, they were visiting Puri with a group of relatives from Mysuru and went to The Taste of Bengal restaurant for dinner on Wednesday evening.

Sushmitha alleged that she discovered a strand of hair in the food on her plate and brought it to the attention of the restaurant staff.

She claimed the couple asked for the food to be replaced, but a disagreement arose over how many dishes should be changed and whether payment would be required for the replacement.

The argument allegedly intensified after the couple objected to the restaurant's response.

Sushmitha further alleged that when she began recording the confrontation on her mobile phone, restaurant employees pulled down the shutter or locked the exit, preventing them from leaving.

She claimed the couple was then assaulted by members of the restaurant staff. During the scuffle, Sushmitha alleged that she was pushed against a dining table, resulting in considerable pain in her abdomen.

One of Bharath's relatives contacted the police control room, following which a police patrol team reached the restaurant and rescued the couple. They were subsequently taken to hospital.

Restaurant staff deny allegations

Restaurant employees, however, denied the couple's version of events and accused the tourists of initiating the confrontation.

According to a restaurant employee, the staff had agreed to replace the food but alleged that the tourists created a disturbance and used offensive language during the argument.

The employee further alleged that members of the restaurant staff, including the manager-cum-owner, were assaulted during the confrontation.

The restaurant side subsequently approached Sea Beach police station and lodged a complaint against the tourists.

The couple later filed a counter-complaint detailing their allegations and also brought the matter to the notice of senior police officials.

Case and counter-case registered

Police said complaints had been received from both sides and a case and counter-case were registered in connection with the incident.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the restaurant and questioning those present to establish the sequence of events. Police sources said a restaurant employee was also detained for questioning.

Puri SP Prateek Singh said the confrontation appeared to have been aggravated by communication problems between the two sides.

“The behaviour of both parties was not gentle,” Singh said.

Police officers are also examining whether a language barrier contributed to the escalation.

DSP (Puri City) Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra said investigators were trying to determine exactly what happened during the confrontation, including the circumstances leading up to the alleged assault.

Police said further action would be taken after examining CCTV footage, witness accounts and the complaints filed by both parties.