Mumbai Hotel Worker Accused of Spitting on Flatbreads in Goregaon East; Viral Video Triggers Public Outrage and Police Action

The incident took place at Fish Koliwada Hotel located in Santosh Nagar. According to the complainant, 48-year-old Deepak Dattaram Pawar, he was out for dinner on the night of 23 May 2026 when he first visited another hotel but left due to heavy crowding and proceeded to Fish Koliwada Hotel.

Pawar stated that inside the premises, he allegedly observed a staff member preparing flatbreads and repeatedly spitting on each one before placing them inside a furnace for baking. Disturbed by the act, he remained at the location for some time and recorded the entire episode on his mobile phone camera. He later shared the video with local residents, which led to widespread outrage in the area.

On the night of 25 May, local residents informed the police control room regarding the incident. Acting on the information, Mumbai Police reached the hotel and took the accused employee into custody. During questioning, he was identified as 53-year-old Kausar Gaffar Sheikh, a resident of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh.

Local residents have also raised allegations against the hotel owner, Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh, accusing him of negligence in maintaining hygiene and overseeing food safety standards. They argued that such conduct could pose a serious risk to public health.

The police have stated that the matter is currently under investigation, and the authenticity of the viral video is also being verified as part of the ongoing inquiry. Further legal action will depend on the outcome of the investigation.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns regarding food safety compliance and hygiene standards in commercial food establishments, drawing attention from both authorities and the public.