‘One incident cannot cancel out what Kol has given me, will continue to work here’
Times of India | 5 February 2026
Kolkata: "This city has given me a lot—due respect, a decent living and a bright future for my family. A one-off incident cannot change everything. I will continue to work here and love this city as I always have," said Sheikh Nasimuddin, the Olypub waiter, who was arrested for serving the wrong meat to a social media influencer last week and spent three nights in jail before he was released on Tuesday.
Speaking to TOI a day after his release, Nasimuddin said that while legally free, he is yet to resume work, citing poor health and mental exhaustion. "Sleeping on the floor for three nights left me with chest congestion," he said. "I asked for a few days' leave. My family wants me to come back home, but I am not leaving Kolkata. I will rejoin work soon."
A native of Odisha, Nasimuddin lived in Kolkata for the last six years, working as a waiter at Olypub. He was booked under Section 299 of the BNS, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings. Calling the episode a "genuine mistake", Nasimuddin said he immediately apologised to the customer as well as to the police. "I pleaded multiple times before the customer, but he was not ready to listen," he recalled. "He kept shooting the video and accusing me." Sometime later, he received a call from Park Street police station. "I went there in my uniform, thinking I would be able to explain. Instead, I was arrested."
The incident triggered a wave of backlash on social media, with many criticising influencer Sayak Chakraborty for filming the episode and pursuing police action against a service worker. The backlash soon translated into formal complaints, with at least four cases filed against Chakraborty, culminating in an FIR.
While on his way from his rented one-bedroom home on Ripon Street to Olypub—where he briefly met colleagues and his employer—the visibly shaken waiter said the experience deeply affected him. The management of Olypub stood firmly by Nasimuddin. "We are relieved that he is out of jail," said Azmeen Tangri, director of Olypub. "He went through a lot in the last few days. He asked for some time to heal, and he is welcome to rejoin work whenever he feels ready."
Nasimuddin expressed gratitude to the restaurant authorities for arranging legal assistance and ensuring that his job remained secure. "They did not abandon me when I needed support the most," he said. Nasimuddin said the incident made him more cautious and disciplined. "I learnt my lesson. From now on, I will double-check every order I receive," he added.