Introduction
South Korean Restaurant Owner Faces Utility Dispute as Hyeyoung Lee, a South Korean national, has run her restaurant, MISO, in the Global Foyer Mall in Gurgaon for over ten years. Recently, she faced a shocking situation when the mall management accused her of causing damage to their building.
The Issue Arises
Lee received a demand notice asking for Rs 9 lakh from the mall. They claimed that her restaurant caused water leaks that harmed the property. Lee did not agree with this demand. As a result, the mall cut off her electricity and water supply, according to the police.
Seeking Help
Feeling harassed, Lee filed a complaint against the mall management. She stated that the unpaid dues were calculated incorrectly. Lee shared her story in a video on Instagram, explaining her situation.
- She has operated the restaurant for 12 years.
- Power and water have been disconnected for over 24 hours.
- She has made several requests for help, but no one has responded.
- She filed a complaint at the Sushant Lok Police Station but received no aid.
Police Involvement
On a Friday, police intervened and set up a meeting at Sushant Lok police station. They wanted to resolve the disagreement between Lee and the mall management.
A spokesperson for Gurgaon Police said, “Despite the matter being of a civil nature, Gurugram police facilitated a meeting between the two sides.” During the meeting, both parties talked about the issues, and they reached an agreement to meet again on Monday with their lawyers to discuss the Rs 9 lakh dispute.
Meanwhile, Lee shared that her electricity was restored on Saturday afternoon, which was a relief for her.
Background on Lee’s Business
Lee, who is 43 years old, has lived in Gurgaon since 2011. She began facing troubling issues with the mall management last October. At that time, they started giving her very high water bills.
She stated, “I’ve been receiving water bills of Rs 25,000 per month. When my restaurant was on the ground floor, it never exceeded Rs 5,000.” This drastic increase in her water bills added to her stress. Lee also feels she is being harassed to vacate her restaurant space, even though she has three years left on her lease.
A Final Notice
On August 5, the realty company running the mall sent Lee a “final and non-negotiable” notice. They claimed that her water leakage had caused significant damage:
- Rs 9.5 lakh damage to the passenger lifts
- Rs 2 lakh damage to the false ceiling, risking its collapse
The company demanded payment within 24 hours or said that they would cut off services, take legal action, or even evict her. Lee denied these accusations, claiming the leak was from the mall’s own pipelines. She insisted that there were no unpaid bills, as her accountants had confirmed.
The Mall’s Response
Dhirendra Singh, the director of Rajdurbar Buildcon Private Limited, which manages the mall, told reporters that the matter has been resolved. He dismissed Lee’s claims about the bills and eviction plans. Singh stated, “They have accepted their dues amounting to around Rs 12 lakh + GST.”
He added, “There are a hundred other shops in the mall, and no one else has ever filed any complaint against us. Why would I create issues towards getting rental income?” This raises questions about why Lee was singled out.
Understanding the Region
Gurgaon is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. This area has grown rapidly in recent years, with many new businesses and commercial centers. Urbanization, while beneficial for many, has also brought challenges for local businesses. Water supply management is one such issue that affects how businesses operate.
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has faced criticism for its handling of water supply management. Problems like rising water bills are common, as seen in Lee’s case. Many small businesses face similar situations, struggling with inflated costs.
Conclusion
The case where a South Korean Restaurant Owner Faces Utility Dispute highlights important issues in Gurgaon involving business rights and utility management. While the local government aims to develop the area, it must also protect small businesses like hers. As the meetings continue, people are watching closely to see how this dispute will resolve.
This story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in a fast-changing environment. We must support fair practices and address issues that affect our local businesses. 🌟
