A police complaint has been lodged against a group accused of attempting to extort ₹25 lakh from the popular South Indian restaurant chain, Rameshwaram Cafe, by falsely alleging the presence of an insect in the food served at its Bengaluru Airport outlet.
As per the complaint, on the morning of July 24, 2025, a group of 5 to 7 people created a commotion, claiming they found an insect in their food. A video of the incident surfaced online, triggering public concern. However, the cafe’s management has asserted that the incident was fabricated with the intention of blackmailing and damaging the brand’s credibility.
According to the operations head, the group threatened to release the video on social media unless they were compensated. Soon after, a phone call from an unknown number demanded ₹25 lakh in cash. The cafe has handed over call records, screenshots, and supporting evidence to the authorities, requesting immediate legal action.
Founder Divya Raghav strongly denied the accusation, stating: “We uphold strict food safety and hygiene standards, especially in high-security zones like airports. This appears to be a malicious act aimed at extortion.” She added that similar smear attempts in the past involved planting objects in food, with offenders being caught.
Rameshwaram Cafe has appealed to the public and media to verify facts before sharing misleading content, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to cleanliness, transparency, and customer trust.