Hyderabad: Dispute over extra curd for biryani, customer beaten to death in Meridian Restaurant

HYDERABAD: In a shocking incident, a customer was allegedly beaten to death by the staff and owner of Meridian restaurant, Panjagutta on Sunday night following an argument after he demanded extra curd for biryani.

According to Panjagutta police, the victim was identified as Liyaqath (30), a resident of Chandrayangutta. He, along with his friends, went to Meridian restaurant and ordered biryani. After the restaurant staff served him biryani, he asked them to bring extra curd. A heated argument was exchanged between the restaurant staff and Liyaqath, leading to a minor scuffle between Liyaqath's friends and restaurant staff.

In a fit of rage, the restaurant staff attacked Liyaqath and his friends by locking their premises. Upon obtaining information about the incident, a team of police personnel rushed to the spot and brought them to Panjagutta police station to inquire about the matter. At that moment, Liyaqath collapsed all of a sudden and was rushed to a Deccan hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The body was shifted to Gandhi hospital for postmortem.

Meanwhile, the family members of Liyaqath said that he would survive if he was taken to hospital instead of bringing him to the police station. AIMIM MLC Mirza Rahmat Baig Quadri reached Panjagutta police station and demanded justice for Liyaqath's family. The police took the restaurant owner and staff into custody. A case was registered and further investigations were underway.

Hyderabad Commissioner of Police CV Anand had taken a serious note of the issue and likely to initiate neccessary action against the Panjagutta police.