The Bengaluru police have registered a case against upscale restaurant Bastian Garden City after a viral CCTV clip showed the venue on St. Mark’s Road operating late into the night and a verbal altercation between patrons. The restaurant is co-owned by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and founder Ranjit Bindra, and the case was filed as part of a wider pre‑New Year crackdown on nightlife spots.
What the CCTV footage shows
Police reviewed a video from December 11 around 1:30 am that captured a verbal dispute among guests at Bastian. The argument escalated into heckling before staff stepped in to calm the situation. Businessman and former Bigg Boss contestant Satya Naidu was identified in the footage. He has denied any physical confrontation, saying he had come for dinner with friends and that confusion arose during billing.
Police action and legal issues
Responding suo motu to the viral clip, Cubbon Park police registered a case under Section 103 of the Karnataka Police Act. The video indicated the restaurant was open past the legally permitted hour — pubs in Bengaluru require special permission to operate beyond 1 am. Managers and staff of Bastian have been named in the case, and investigations are ongoing to establish whether this was an isolated incident or part of a pattern of violations.
- A similar case was filed against Sourberry Pub on Residency Road around the same time.
- Authorities say the step is part of heightened checks on nightlife venues ahead of New Year festivities.
Bastian’s profile: premium dining and steep price tags
Bastian has built a reputation as a premium hospitality brand. The menu and beverage list reflect that positioning — stories about high-ticket items such as a Rs 920 jasmine tea and bottles of champagne priced at around Rs 1.59 lakh have become part of its brand image. Before its Bandra outlet closed in October, reports suggested the Mumbai Bastian used to pull in substantial nightly revenue, reportedly in the Rs 2–3 crore range.
Context: another probe involving Shilpa Shetty
This police action comes a few weeks after news of a separate probe that named Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra in a Rs 60 crore fraud investigation. Authorities and the restaurant say the current inquiry is specifically about operating hours and the late‑night incident captured on CCTV.
What happens next?
Investigators will examine CCTV, billing records and witness statements to determine facts and whether the restaurant routinely stayed open beyond permitted hours. Possible outcomes could include fines, stricter enforcement or temporary restrictions depending on the findings. For patrons and industry watchers, this case underlines growing scrutiny on nightlife venues during peak party season.
As the probe continues, both Bengaluru police and the management of Bastian are expected to share further updates. In the meantime, the viral clip has put fresh focus on compliance and crowd control at popular nightlife destinations in the city.
