Indian-Origin Businessman Confesses to Spiking Woman's Drink at Exclusive London Venue
In a startling court development, Vikas Nath, an Indian-origin entrepreneur and proprietor of multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, has admitted to spiking a woman's beverage at an upscale London nightclub earlier this year. The revelation emerged during ongoing legal proceedings at Southwark Crown Court, as reported by the BBC, shedding light on a disturbing incident that has captured public attention.
The Incident at Annabel's Nightclub
The episode unfolded on January 15, 2024, at the renowned Annabel's establishment in Mayfair, one of London's most exclusive social venues. Alert staff members observed Nath engaging in suspicious behavior while seated alone at a table. Witnesses described seeing him use a straw to extract liquid from a concealed bottle before dripping the substance into a margarita belonging to a female companion.
Subsequent analysis identified the added substance as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a controlled Class B drug frequently categorized as a "date-rape drug" due to its dangerous interactions with alcohol. The compound can induce severe effects including loss of consciousness, memory impairment, and respiratory depression when combined with alcoholic beverages.
Contradictory Claims and Legal Proceedings
While Nath has acknowledged spiking the drink, he has vehemently denied any sexual motivation behind his actions. Instead, the businessman has asserted that he introduced the substance to help the woman "relax" during their evening out. During court testimony, Nath expressed remorse, stating: "What I did was wrong and I regret it very deeply."
Prosecutor Tim Clark presented compelling evidence to the court, detailing how Nath attempted to destroy evidence before police arrival. "Prior to the police arriving, Mr Nath clearly worked out that he had been rumbled. He tried to hide the evidence of what he had done, going to the lavatory and throwing that little bottle into the cistern, and it was floating about when police recovered it," Clark explained during proceedings.
Background of the Accused and Victim
Court documents reveal Nath's prominent position in the culinary world as director of the Michelin-starred Benares restaurant in Mayfair and owner of several high-end dining establishments across the United Kingdom and Spain. The victim, whose identity remains protected, testified that she had met Nath approximately five to six times before the incident and considered him a genuinely concerned acquaintance.
The woman described Nath as "generous" and someone who consistently paid for their lunches, adding: "He came across as he cared for me and it was nice. I never thought he would have made a physical move on me so I felt safe with him." Ironically, she recalled that Nath had previously warned her about the risks of drink spiking during their earlier interactions.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Trial
Following staff intervention at Annabel's, the contaminated cocktail was replaced and authorities were notified. During subsequent police interviews, Nath claimed he obtained GBL as a cleaning fluid for high-performance vehicles and asserted that a friend had suggested its potential use as an alcohol "relaxant." He further admitted to personal consumption of the substance that evening, claiming it enhanced alcohol's effects while maintaining he was unaware of its illegal status.
The victim's initial reaction to the allegations revealed the complexity of their relationship. She testified: "I remember vividly defending Mr Nath, saying 'There is no way he could do that'. I remember sending him a message saying 'I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening'. Because I felt it was my fault. I didn't want him in trouble, I didn't believe it."
As the trial continues at Southwark Crown Court, legal experts anticipate further revelations about the case that has drawn attention to drink spiking incidents in upscale social settings and raised questions about substance abuse among affluent circles.
