Is South City Hotel outside purview of Odisha govt’s Covid-19 guidelines?

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14: The life of Manish Anurg, the son of senior journalist Naveen Das, could have been saved had the South City Hotel not served them food and drinks beyond the deadline fixed under the Covid-19 guidelines.

Manish Anurg died on October 9. It has been established that he along with his friends was present in the hotel till 4 PM.

The hotel served food and drinks to the youths till late night. As a result, they got a hefty bill. Media reports say the total bill was between Rs 26,000 and Rs 35,000.

Media reports also suggest that the friends fought over bill payment at the hotel. A confrontational scene was created at the hotel which ultimately led to the death of Manish. 

This correspondent contacted the general manager of a top hotel in Bhubaneswar who said till October 11, food service was available in hotel and restaurants till 10. From October 11, food serving time has been cut down to 8 pm.

On October 9, the deadline for serving food and drinks was 10 PM. One wonders why the South City Hotel’s bar was open till dawn.

What is quite astonishing is that the investigating officers of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police have not yet taken into custody the hotel owner or its officials for violating the Covid-19 guidelines.

It has been established beyond doubt that the bar was kept open till dawn and the money sent by Manish’s mother has been received on the hotel accounts.

When the hotels turn away the obstinate clients with use of force as they often create scenes, it is quite mysterious why South City Hotel chose to serve Manish and his friends.

A top retired police officer said the South City Hotel owner (s) must be booked for violating Covid-19 guidelines and abating the death of Manish.

“Opening the hotel till late in the night and serving food is a criminal offence. Besides, the hotel owner must be booked for keeping the bar open till late night,’ said the police officer.