Michelin-Starred Restaurant Owner Admits Spiking Woman’s Drink
Vikas Nath, an Indian-born businessman who owns two Michelin-starred restaurants, confessed to spiking a woman’s drink at an exclusive London nightclub, according to court proceedings reported by the BBC. The incident occurred on January 15, 2024, at Annabel’s in Mayfair.
The Club Incident
Employees witnessed Nath adding a substance to a woman’s margarita while sitting alone at her table. Staff described his actions as “pretty strange” and observed him using a straw to transfer liquid from a hidden bottle into her drink. The substance was later identified as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a Class B controlled drug known as a “rape drug” due to its dangerous effects when mixed with alcohol.
Nath’s Confession and Defense
While admitting to spiking the drink, Nath denied intending to assault the woman sexually. He claimed he added GBL to help her “relax” and stated: “What I did was wrong and I deeply regret it.”
Background Connections
The court learned Nath directs London’s Michelin-starred Benares restaurant and owns several upscale eateries in the UK and Spain. The victim testified they had met five to six times before January, with Nath often inviting her for drinks and showing concern for her welfare.
A Broken Trust
The woman described Nath as “generous” and recalled: “He seemed like he cared about me… I never thought he would physically attack me, so I felt safe with him.” Ironically, she revealed Nath had previously warned her about drink-spiking risks.
Staff Intervention
Alerted by employees, Annabel’s management switched the contaminated cocktail before the woman consumed it. They informed her the drink had been tampered with, prompting police involvement.
Destroying Evidence
Prosecutor Tim Clark stated Nath tried to hide evidence before police arrived: “He went to the toilet and threw the small bottle into the cistern.” Police later recovered the floating container.
Questionable Explanations
During police interviews, Nath claimed he obtained GBL as car cleaning fluid and that a friend suggested consuming it with alcohol as a “relaxant.” He admitted using it himself that night to enhance alcohol’s effects but insisted he didn’t know possessing GBL was illegal.
Victim’s Shock and Guilt
The woman testified she initially defended Nath in disbelief: “I remember saying, ‘There’s no way command he can do that.'” She even apologized to him via message, explaining: “I felt like it was my fault. I didn’t want him to get in trouble.”
Trial Status
The legal proceedings against Vikas Nath are ongoing as the court examines the evidence and testimonies surrounding the incident.
