‘Lawyers’ assault eatery owner, hunt on

A CCTV footage that showed the shop owner being kicked by one of the two men was widely circulated on social media platforms.

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon at a fast food joint in Durga Devi Nagar on Ennore High Road, managed by Akhila Nayagam.

A group of men wearing white shirts and black pants, claiming to be lawyers, reached the shop and ordered food. When the food was served, they complained about the quantity of meat. Even though the eatery staff gave them more meat after that, the men were not satisfied by it.

They claimed they were advocates and asked the shop owner to show the food licence. The owner, Akhila Nayagam, then made them speak to his relative, who is also an advocate. The group then left the place.

But they returned later in the evening. During the second visit, an argument broke out between the ‘lawyers’ and owner. In the middle of the argument, one of them, dressed in black and white, kicked Akhila Nayagam. He reportedly sustained injuries, the police said quoting the staff at the eatery. A case has been registered with the RK Nagar police station and further investigation is on.

According to local police sources, the man they are hunting for dressed and talked like a lawyer, though they are not yet sure if he indeed is one. Akhila Nayagam has been running the eatery for nearly 20 years in the locality, said sources.