Cafe Bahar reopens in Hyderabad after month-long closure following Supreme Court ruling

Hyderabad: The iconic Cafe Bahar in Hyderabad has reopened its doors on Monday, November 11, 2024, after being closed for over a month due to a family legal dispute. The popular restaurant, known for its Irani chai and biryani, resumed operations following a Supreme Court ruling.

Cafe Bahar had been shut down on October 10, 2024, after a disagreement among the Bolooki family members over the ownership of the restaurant. The dispute arose after the death of the founder, Syed Hussain Bolooki, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two main factions of the family are led by Syed Asghar Ali Bolooki, who owns 86% of the business, and Bibi Hajjar Dashti, who owns the remaining 14%.

The Telangana High Court had earlier removed Syed Asghar Ali Bolooki as the managing partner and appointed an external administrator. However, Syed Asghar Ali Bolooki appealed the decision, and the Supreme Court ruled in his favor on November 8, allowing him to take over the management of the restaurant once again.

As part of the ruling, the Supreme Court ordered an independent valuation of the restaurant’s assets, which is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024. The court also instructed Syed Asghar Ali Bolooki’s group to deposit Rs 5 crore as a security deposit and to submit weekly financial reports to ensure transparency in the management.

The restaurant’s reopening has brought back much-needed energy to the area, with regular customers and new visitors alike eager to enjoy Cafe Bahar's famous dishes. The legal battle is still ongoing, and the final resolution will depend on the outcome of the asset valuation.