Ranjit Mathrani, the man behind Veeraswamy—London’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant—has filed a lawsuit against the Crown Estate, alleging that its refusal to renew the lease on its Regent Street location is rooted in cultural prejudice.
The Crown Estate says Victory House, the building that houses Veeraswamy, is in a state of disrepair that warrants refurbishment, and has offered to relocate MW Eat within its portfolio, providing financial compensation.
Mathrani argues that if a comparable French eatery were in the same spot, the outcome would differ, pointing to the restaurant’s 100‑year legacy and patrons such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Mahatma Gandhi as evidence of its national importance—yet the Crown’s stance suggests a cultural bias that devalues Indian cuisine’s sophistication.
The case is set to be heard by the High Court on 15 January 2025, where the judge will decide whether the Crown Estate’s decision violates anti‑discrimination laws and historic property rights.
Local residents and long‑time staff echo Mathrani’s concerns, with a 58‑year‑old sous‑chef saying, "We’ve cooked for leaders and ordinary Londoners alike; this feels like a cultural snub."