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Former Municipal Officer’s power play? Restaurant fined Rs 20,000 after denied free chicken
Chandigarh, February 26, 2025: A shocking case of alleged misuse of power by a former municipal corporation officer has surfaced in a popular restaurant in Sector 35. The officer, reportedly enraged after being denied free chicken, allegedly orchestrated a punitive action against the restaurant, leading to a hefty fine of ₹20,000.
What Happened?
As per reports, the former officer visited the restaurant around 8:30 PM on February 22 and asked for a takeaway order of chicken. When the restaurant staff inquired about his name to inform the manager, he left without responding, apparently angered by the request.
A few hours later, at 11:30 PM, a municipal corporation official arrived for an inspection. The restaurant staff stated that by then, regular customers had left, and they were in the process of cleaning up.
During the inspection, the official reportedly found a small quantity of discarded French fries in a kitchen dustbin and subsequently issued a challan of ₹20,000 under Solid Waste Management Rules 4(7).
Questionable action sparks inquiry
Interestingly, the official who issued the challan was not even in charge of the Sector 35 area, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the action. As the controversy gained traction, senior municipal corporation officials were alerted, leading to an internal stir within the department.
Dr. Inderdeep Kaur, MOH, expressed her concern over the incident, stating, "I was not aware of this matter. Issuing a challan outside one’s jurisdiction is against regulations. We will investigate thoroughly and take necessary action as per the rules."
Restaurant's allegation: "Challan was used to intimidate us"
The restaurant staff has strongly refuted the grounds for the fine, claiming it was not due to any waste management violation but rather an act of pressure tactics. They clarified that while dine-in services close at 11 PM, online orders continue, and the kitchen was being cleaned when the officials arrived.
Now, the restaurant management is preparing to escalate the matter and formally complain to senior municipal authorities.
What Next?
According to municipal corporation regulations, disciplinary action can be taken against officials who exceed their jurisdiction. This raises an important question—was this an unfortunate coincidence, or a blatant abuse of power by a former officer seeking personal revenge? The upcoming investigation will determine whether accountability will be enforced or if this incident will be brushed under the carpet.