New Delhi: Delhi government today ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident of alleged denying of entry to a specially-abled rights activist by an eatery in a south Delhi’s mall.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has directed the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Vasant Vihar, to conduct an inquiry and submit a factual report by Tuesday.
Nipun Malhotra, who was born with arthrogryposis, a rare congenital disorder, which leads to lack of muscles in arms and legs, was allegedly denied entry at the eatery last night.
Without commenting on the merits of any individual case till the inquiry findings come out, the Delhi government has made it clear that national capital should lead by example on how people from all segments of the society have a right to live their lives honourably.
It was brought to the notice of the deputy Chief Minister that the bar and restaurant KEYA located in the DLF Promenade Mall, had reportedly refused to allow entry to Mr Nipun Malhotra on Friday evening.
-Delhi government press release
It stated that there is no doubt that all business entities have absolute freedom and rights to carry out their businesses in accordance with existing rules. But a lack of sensitivity and tolerance is certainly an unhealthy practice which should be discouraged at all levels.
Nipun Malhotra’s Version
“Our friends had decided to go to Keya for dinner. So nine of my friends, five boys and three girls went to the restaurant. One of my friends politely told the manager that one us would be coming on a wheelchair and that he should ensure that I reach the table.
The manager asked if the friend was injured or had a disability. When my friend informed him that he has a disability, the manager said that as a policy they do not allow disabled people inside.
-Nitin Malhotra, Activist who was denied entry
“When my friend told me about it, I could not believe him and reached there with my brother. The security there stopped us from going inside saying the hotel as a policy does not allow disabled inside and started pulling my wheelchair.
“I was shocked. The manager then came out and to flip the argument said that we do not allow stag entires. When I told him that already three of my male friends and many others were inside, then how could he say that they do not allow stag entires?” Malhotra said.
Keya’s Defence
The restaurant said it was a case of misunderstanding.
It is a clear case of misunderstanding. Because of Holi we were getting a lot of drunk people at the gate. As a precautionary measure we were restricting the number of boys inside.
-Premjit Kumar, KEYA General Manager
“Nipun was accompanied by two more boys and allowing them inside would have increased the number of men. So we just said that we are not allowing anymore stag entries,” the manager claimed.
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