India, July 25 -- The Rameshwaram Cafe, a popular South Indian quick service restaurant chain, has filed a police complaint alleging an attempt to blackmail and malign the brand following a claim that a worm was found in a plate of Pongal served at its Bengaluru airport outlet on Thursday.

According to the cafe's official statement, the incident unfolded on the morning of July 24, when a group of five to seven individuals allegedly created a scene at the outlet, accusing the staff of serving contaminated food. One of the customers claimed a worm was spotted in the Pongal shortly after it was served and further alleged that the restaurant staff initially attempted to dismiss or downplay the issue.

However, the restaurant's management has...