Bangladesi restaurateur alleges racial bias

DENVER, CO — A Bangladeshi American restaurateur who wants to open a second location of his popular eatery Curry N Kebob in Denver, Colorado, was allegedly denied a space because of his Muslim religion, according to a lawsuit filed in Denver District Court.

Rashad Khan, an entrepreneur who emigrated to the US as a child, is the owner and manager of Curry N Kebob in Boulder, Colorado. The popular eatery offers a variety of Indian dishes.

Khan wanted to open a branch in Denver, and set about finding a new venue. He spoke to Craig Caldwell, who needed someone to take over the remainder of his five-year lease in Denver’s hot-spot, Capitol Hill.

The two businessmen came to an agreement. Caldwell then called his landlord, Katina Gatchis, to tell her about the sublet to Khan.

Gatchis flatly stated her opposition to the new tenant. In a phone call secretly recorded by Caldwell, which aired on Denver CBS Local 4, Gatchis can be heard telling Caldwell she wants an American. “A good American person like you and me.”

Gatchis ultimately did not allow Khan to sub-lease.

Mohamed said Gatchis has violated federal anti-discrimination law. “Racism and discrimination in our streets and in our communities will not be tolerated,” he told reporters, adding: “Ms. Gatchis should not have the right and privilege to do business in the city and county of Denver.”

The case is scheduled for trial in March 2019.