Rameshwaram Cafe row: Rs 25 lakh extortion alleged after viral cockroach video

What began as a food safety outrage has now taken a dramatic twist. One day after a video showing a cockroach in the food at Rameshwaram Cafe near Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport went viral, the cafe management lodged a police complaint alleging extortion and blackmail.

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In the viral video, shot on Tuesday, a customer is seen confronting the staff about the cockroach in the dish, while the hotel employees were seen apologising and pleading for forgiveness. The footage sparked widespread criticism online and raised questions about food hygiene at the popular eatery.

After the incident sparked public outrage, Rameshwaram Cafe’s Bengaluru head, Sumanth, lodged a complaint at the Airport Police Station, prompting the registration of an FIR.He alleged that unidentified individuals demanded Rs 25 lakh, threatening to damage the cafe’s reputation on social media if their demand wasn't met. One such caller allegedly instructed that the cash be delivered to Brigade Road.

Police have launched an investigation to determine whether this was a case of genuine food safety concern or a pre-planned extortion attempt using social media pressure as leverage.