After operating for 16 years in London, the Indian restaurant Rangrez in Hammersmith is set to close next month, with owner Harman Singh Kapoor citing rising operational costs, repeated disturbances, and what he described as inadequate support from local authorities following alleged threats and attacks. Kapoor announced the decision through a post on social media, bringing an end to a long-running family business known for serving Indian cuisine in the city.
In his statement, Kapoor said increasing financial pressures combined with ongoing online harassment and repeated incidents targeting the restaurant made it impossible to continue operations. He also alleged that the establishment had faced attacks and disruptions and expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support received from the Metropolitan Police in addressing the situation.
Kapoor, who runs the restaurant with his wife, said he would now shift his focus toward activism. In his announcement, he stated that while his business could be disrupted, his resolve remained unchanged, adding that closing the restaurant would allow him to dedicate his time fully to advocacy work. He also thanked customers who had supported the restaurant over the years, describing their patronage as deeply meaningful to him and his family.
The announcement drew reactions online, with several users expressing sympathy and recalling positive experiences at the restaurant, while others voiced concern over the circumstances that led to its closure.
The decision follows earlier controversies involving Kapoor’s public criticism of the Khalistan movement. In 2023, he had claimed that his restaurant was attacked days after vandalism incidents at the Indian High Commission in London. He alleged that he and his family received threats, abusive calls, and online intimidation, including demands to remove social media content and raise pro-Khalistan slogans.
At the time, UK police stated that officers had responded to the incident, spoken with those involved, reviewed CCTV footage, and implemented safeguarding measures, including offering additional protection. Kapoor, however, maintained that the threats continued and that those responsible were not held accountable, leaving his family feeling unsafe.
The closure of Rangrez marks the end of a restaurant that had operated in London for more than a decade and a half, with the dispute surrounding Kapoor’s activism and safety concerns forming the backdrop to the business’s final chapter.
