Restaurateur charged for weaponizing masala powder

When Naveen Polapady, who lives above his Koreatown Indian restaurant, Maroli, spotted someone trying to break into a vehicle, he took action—by dousing the thief in chicken masala powder and fending him off with a broomstick. The thief took off on a bicycle, and Polapady called the cops and gave chase in his car. Just another bout of everyday awesomeness from a small businessman, right? Not quite. According to the Toronto Star, Polapady has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance (yes, that would be the masala powder). Polapady’s story is similar to that of David Chen, the Toronto storeowner charged for hogtying a shoplifter. In fact, Polapady’s lawyer is counting on Chen’s story—and the resulting legislation from the federal Conservatives—to prove that his client was acting in defence of his home and property. For the moment, Polapady has at least proven that masala powder can be pretty effectively weaponized. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »