A sacred pilgrimage to the abode of Lord Jagannath turned into a horrifying ordeal for a family from Karnataka after a couple was allegedly assaulted by a local restaurant owner and his staff in Puri.
The victims, identified as Susmita and Bharat Chandra from Mysore, were rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital with injuries to their face and ears following the clash.
According to the complaint, the couple had visited a local eatery in Puri during their trip. The altercation broke out when they discovered a strand of hair in the food served to them and raised a concern with the staff. What should have been a routine customer feedback moment quickly spiralled out of control.
The restaurant owner and staff members allegedly confronted the couple aggressively, leading to a physical assault. Witnesses reported that the staff struck the couple, leaving them visually shaken and injured.
Following the incident, the victims approached the Sea Beach Police Station to file a formal complaint. Police have launched an investigation into the matter to identify all individuals involved in the assault and establish the exact sequence of events.
“The matter is currently being probed, and action will be taken against those found guilty,” a senior police officer stated.
A tearful Susmita recounted the traumatising experience outside the hospital, sharing how their long-awaited pilgrimage ended in pain and humiliation. She expressed deep despair over the hostility they faced in a city world-renowned for its spiritual hospitality.
