Following allegations from a group of customers that there was a cockroach on a plate of food served to them at an Indira Canteen in Gottigere on Friday, health officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have alleged that the group had deliberately placed the insect in the food to create a ruckus. After verifying CCTV footage, officials have filed a complaint with the Kamakshipalya police against a patron identified as Hemanth Kumar and four of his associate.

According to Mayor R. Sampath Raj, the CCTV footage clearly indicated that the group had put something in the plate before raising a hue and cry saying they had found a cockroach. “It seems to be a deliberate attempt to defame the canteen. We have submitted the footage to the cybercrime police as well so that they determine the facts. But we are ready for any probe,” he said.

Based on the complaint, the Kamakshipalya police have filed an FIR under Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, among other Sections, said a senior officer.

On Friday, Hemanth Kumar, along with his associates, alleged that they had found a cockroach in one of their plates.

Following this, they even threatened the canteen staff. Efforts are on to track down the group, the police further said.