Mall authorities in Gurugram allegedly disrupted essential services for a Korean woman, cutting off electricity and water supply, prompting her to accuse them of harassment.
A South Korean woman, Hyang Lee, who has been running her restaurant MISO at the Global Foyer Mall in Gurugram for 14 years, has accused the mall management of harassment by repeatedly cutting off water and electricity to her restaurant.
Lee claims that for the past three years, the mall management and builder have been harassing her, with the mall authorities disconnecting essential services despite her paying rent and maintenance charges. This harassment, according to Lee, is an attempt to coerce her to vacate the leased premises.
The dispute over utility cut-offs and a Rs 9 lakh demand from the mall management is related to the alleged harassment Hyang Lee has been facing. The mall management issued a notice to Lee, demanding Rs 9 lakh in damages for alleged water leakage from her restaurant, which has caused damage to the mall building. However, Lee has not paid this amount, leading to the utility service disruptions and ensuing dispute.
The Gurugram Police have intervened in this matter, facilitating meetings between the parties to resolve the issues. A meeting held at the Sushant Lok Police Station addressed the issues related to water and electricity disconnections, but the financial claim of Rs 9 lakh remains contested. Further discussions between the legal representatives of both sides are planned for Monday.
In a video posted on social media on Friday, Lee made her accusations public. She stated that despite running her restaurant legally for 14 years, complying with all Indian laws and licenses, the mall management wants her to vacate the leased premises. If no action is taken, Lee said she will be forced to return to her country with a bitter experience.
The Gurugram Police have confirmed the upcoming meeting and the resolution of the utility dispute. They have also confirmed that the meeting will take place in the presence of the legal teams for both parties. Lee has also written to the South Korean Embassy regarding the matter.
This ongoing conflict centers on Lee's allegations of harassment through utility cut-offs by the mall management, who assert it is due to unpaid damages. The authorities are mediating, but the financial demand and allegations of harassment are the core issues in this ongoing conflict.
India, being the host to Hyang Lee's small-business, MISO, has been the setting for a tumultuous dispute involving cricket-loving Lee and the mall management. Despite her consistent business operations for 14 years, adhering to all Indian laws and licenses, the mall authorities have alleged unpaid damages and imposed a financial claim of Rs 9 lakh, threatening to coerce her small-business out of its leased premises. This financial claim, however, is a contentious point as Lee claims it is a part of the ongoing attempt to harass her and disrupt her business operations.
