Police reward hotel server who handed over ₹25 lakh left behind by customer

Ravi, the server at Hotel Saravana Bhavan, being felicitated at K4 police station in Anna Nagar, Chennai.

A 40-year- server working in a popular chain of restaurants was lauded by senior police officers after he returned ₹25 lakh cash left behind by two customers on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to

The Hindu , A. Balu , Assistant General Manager, of Hotel Saravana Bhavan situated in Second Avenue, Anna Nagar, said that Ravi, the server, promptly handed over the carry-bag he found on a sofa on the first floor of the restaurant to the manager, Loganathan.

“It was in the evening, they realised that it contained cash and informed me about the incident. I was not in town. I immediately alerted our owner and he directed me to inform the police about the incident. After I informed senior police officers, inspector Saravanan visited the hotel,” said Mr. Balu.

The bag contained 23 bundles of currency notes of ₹2,000 denomination. “There was a total of ₹25 lakh. When we checked the CCTV footage, we found that on Thursday morning, around 10.30 a.m, two well-dressed customers had breakfast in the restaurant. They left the bag behind,” he added.

The police rewarded Mr. Ravi with a watch and the hotel management is planning to present a ring to him.

“We are investigating about the customers, who left the money behind,” said a police officer.