WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Following the tragic death of Vivek Taneja, a prominent tech CEO, outside a high-end Washington, D.C. restaurant, Akedo, authorities have launched an inquiry into the establishment’s operating license. Taneja, aged 41, was fatally assaulted on February 2, allegedly due to a disagreement over his conduct toward a woman inside the restaurant.
According to law enforcement officials, Taneja and the suspect engaged in a verbal altercation during Akedo’s soft opening event. Later, outside the restaurant premises, the altercation turned violent, resulting in Taneja being punched, causing him to strike his head on the pavement. He passed away a week later due to his injuries.
While the identity of the suspect remains undisclosed, pending charges have been confirmed. In response to the incident, DC Police Chief Pamela Smith has penned a letter to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), requesting a fact-finding hearing into Akedo. Chief Smith asserts that the violent offense is directly linked to the establishment’s operations and security protocol.
In light of these developments, WUSA9 reached out to a spokesperson for Akedo, who issued a statement emphasizing that the altercation occurred outside the restaurant’s sightlines, approximately 300 feet away from their doors. However, the spokesperson affirmed the restaurant’s commitment to cooperating with investigators and addressing security concerns raised by Chief Smith.
The scheduled ABCA hearing regarding Akedo’s operating license on Wednesday underscores the gravity of the situation, signaling potential repercussions for the restaurant’s future operations in the wake of Taneja’s tragic death.
