Dubai: An Indian national was secretly operating a restaurant inside a residential building in Salmiya, Kuwait. However, the Indian owner had not obtained the necessary approvals from the Kuwaiti government.
Despite its popularity among the Indian community in the area, the owner sought to attract more customers by advertising on the social media platform TikTok. This exposure revealed the restaurant’s location, leading to a police raid. The local authorities apprehended the owner and staff, subsequently deporting them to India.
فيديو / وزارة التجارة تتعامل مع مطعم شقة السالمية بعد اعلان «التيك توك».
• إحالتهم لمخفر السالمية وإبعاد العاملين فيه عن البلاد ، لمخالفته القانون.
• يستخدم مواد مدعومة من الدولة وغير ملتزم بشروط السلامة ، ورائحة الغاز تملئ المكان. https://t.co/wzR0xPAqgR pic.twitter.com/LMN7XGg86V— المجلس (@Almajlliss) June 20, 2024
Uncovering the Illegal Restaurant
According to Gulf News, the incident came to light when the restaurant owners hired an Indian TikTok celebrity to film and promote their establishment, targeting the Indian community in the area. The advertisement, intended to attract customers, inadvertently drew the attention of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce.
The promotional video quickly went viral on social media, with several Kuwaiti bloggers sharing it and making humorous comments about the owners’ mistake in revealing the restaurant’s secret location.
Violations and Police Action
This widespread attention prompted swift action from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce. Following the viral video, the Kuwaiti police conducted a raid on the restaurant. During the inspection, officials found several violations: the restaurant was using government-subsidized materials, not adhering to safety regulations, and there was a strong smell of gas in the apartment. Consequently, the ministry ordered the closure of the restaurant and sent its staff to the Salmiya police station. They were deported for violating local laws.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
