Taj Indian Bistro application withdrawn after undisclosed pending charge found

Taj Indian Bistro’s beer-permit application was withdrawn March 19 after city staff told the Knoxville Beer Board that a listed 15% owner had a pending criminal charge the application did not disclose.

The board discussed the issue after the applicant, Tushar Kumar, identified himself when the board returned to the item later in the meeting. City staff and the city attorney noted that failure to disclose pending charges on the permit application is a basis for denial under the code cited at the meeting.

"That is a basis to deny the permit," said Mister Frost, the attorney advising the board, referencing the code section in the meeting. "If he's convicted, he would be ineligible."

Kumar said the owner in question had taken classes and paid fines and that the business planned to comply with the board’s direction. After board members discussed options—including withdrawing and reapplying with a different ownership structure—the applicant confirmed a withdrawal.

"I think that would be the best option we have," Kumar said when asked whether withdrawing and reapplying was preferable.

Board members noted that if the owner is not convicted at the April court date, he may be listed in a future application provided the application is filled out truthfully. "If he's not found guilty in April, he then can be a part of the next application," a council member said during the exchange.

The board recorded no motion because the applicant withdrew the request while the board was deliberating. The chair acknowledged the withdrawal and the meeting moved on.

What happens next: The applicants said they would either reorganize ownership and reapply or await the April 25 court date before returning to the Beer Board.