Sonali Shetty shifts blame on CP restaurant, alleges harassment

New Delhi: Sonali Shetty, who brought some underprivileged children along with her to the Shiv Sagar restaurant in Connaught Place yesterday to celebrate her husband's birthday, on Sunday counter attacked one of the employees Roma Malhotra for blaming her and alleged the eatery of harassing the kids.

"They started harassing the children, who had come to have food in the restaurant with me yesterday. They are trying to prove me wrong. This lady ( Roma Malhotra), who was shouting at me, alleged that I demanded food without cost. She is putting such an allegation on me just to save herself," Sonali told the media.

"She said my son will die with disease. it shows her distorted mindset. She has threatened my son's life on the camera. I am not blaming them, I am giving a statement on them," she added.

A seemingly angry Sonali told ANI that she took the children today to another restaurant to feed them and also to throw the fear out of their minds.

"They were very scared yesterday as they were insulted and thrown out of the restaurant. I don't want to be what I am being called 'one night queen'. If you (media) support me, then I will continue this fight," she said.

When asked if she would meet Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, she said, "I will meet Manish Sisodia if I am given the conveyance fee, as I would like to use money on feeding the children and not on travelling."

Radhika, one of the kids, narrating yesterday's incident said that they were pushed out of the Shiv Sagar restaurant.

"Didi took us to the restaurant. We were waiting for food, but no one served us. We were thrown out of the restaurant," she said.

Sonali staged a protest against the restaurant in Connaught Place, where allegedly she and some children were denied food.

However, Vihur Kanodia, the owner of the restaurant, earlier today refuted charges of discrimination against the underprivileged children and alleged the 'aggressive' woman Sonali demanded that food be served free of cost to them.

This, however, contradicted the stand of Roma, who stated earlier that they had permitted the children to enter but refused service later as they were creating a ruckus inside and disturbing the other customers.

The Delhi Government has issued a probe into the incident.

"This is typical Colonial mindset. Can't be tolerated. Have ordered DM New Delhi to enquire & report within 24 hours," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

Sisodia also asserted that the restaurant's license would be revoked and firm action would be initiated if all the allegations are proven.