Businessman sues hotel over fish ‘contaminated’ with beef

K Ganesalingam claims the hotel management was negligent despite his earlier advice to separate beef from other food to respect Hindu guests.

SHAH ALAM: A Hindu businessman has filed a negligence suit against the management of a hotel after he consumed Salmon fish which was contaminated with beef.

Ganesalingam Kanagaretnam, who claimed to be influential in the Hindu community, said he suffered a nervous shock as a result of the incident early last year.

In his statement of claim filed last month, Ganesalingam named Hilton Petaling Jaya, which is under THR Hotel (Selangor ) Bhd, as the defendant.

He said he patronised the hotel frequently to conduct his personal and business affairs and had his meals at its Paya Serai restaurant.

The 60-year-old said in the past he had advised the hotel management to separate beef from other food to respect Hindu guests.

He said the hotel had assured him it would rectify the matter and that it was sensitive to the feelings of Hindu patrons.

Feeling assured, he said he went for a meal at the Paya Serai outlet with a friend.

Ganesalingam said on the day of the incident he inadvertently consumed Salmon contaminated with beef as both dishes were placed side by side.

“The plaintiff realised this when he was going for his second helping,” said the statement of claim made available to FMT.

Ganesalingam said he felt nauseated and rushed to the washroom where he vomited.

The court papers said he left the restaurant “severally distraught and distressed” and this was witnessed by his friend and other patrons at the place.

He sent a letter of demand on May 24 last year to the hotel but was not satisfied with the management’s reply.

Ganesalingam then decided to file a suit seeking an apology from the management, damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.

He said the suit was filed as the management had no respect for Hindus by serving food that was contaminated with beef even though the he had advised them to address the matter.

Most Hindus do not consume beef as the cow is considered a sacred animal.

A case management was held before Sessions Court registrar Rabiatul Adawiyyah Che Khalid today and the hotel, represented by Mah Mun Yan, has been asked to file its defence by Sept 12.

Counsel Zawharul Haq Abdul Rahman, who appeared for Ganesalingam, said the next case management had been fixed for Oct 3 and Sessions Court judge Noor Ruzilawati Mohd Nor would preside over the matter. - FMT