A police complaint has been filed against a group of individuals accused of attempting to extort Rs 25 lakh from the popular South Indian restaurant chain, Rameshwaram Cafe, by falsely claiming that an insect was found in the food served at its Bengaluru Airport outlet.
According to the complaint, the incident took place on the morning of July 24, 2025, when a group of 5 to 7 individuals created panic at the airport outlet by alleging that an insect had been discovered in one of the food items. A video of the alleged incident soon surfaced online, sparking public concern. However, the management of Rameshwaram Cafe has stated that the entire episode was staged as part of a deliberate attempt to extort money and tarnish the restaurant’s reputation.
Blackmail attempts with contaminated food claims
The operations head of the cafe chain reported that the group threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were paid a substantial amount as compensation. Later, a phone call was received from an anonymous number demanding Rs 25 lakh in cash.
Phone call records, message screenshots and supporting documents have been submitted to the police as part of the complaint. The cafe management has urged authorities to take swift legal action against those involved in this alleged blackmail attempt.
Rameshwaram Cafe denies insect in food claim
Divya Raghav, the founder of Rameshwaram Cafe, responded firmly to the allegations: "We categorically deny the baseless claim that insects were found in our food. We maintain the highest standards of safety and hygiene in our food preparation, especially in high-sensitivity zones like airports, where regular inspections are mandatory. This incident appears to be a malicious attempt to damage our brand and extort money."
She also revealed that this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. “There have been previous failed attempts to malign our name, including planting stones and insects in our food. In those cases, too, the culprits were caught red-handed. We will not be intimidated by such tactics and are cooperating fully with the authorities. We urge them to identify and penalise the individuals behind this act.”
Rameshwaram Cafe has appealed to the public and the media to refrain from spreading unverified and misleading videos that could damage the reputation of the brand and mislead customers. The management reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency, hygiene and quality in its operations.
