Idukki: The Idukki District Collector has issued a stop memo to the restaurant operating the sky-dining facility where tourists were left stranded following a crane malfunction at Anachal. Meanwhile, the Vellathooval police registered a case against Sojan Joseph, a native of Anachal and the owner of the sky-dining restaurant, on Saturday. Praveen, of Malayinchi in Udumbannoor, who was the operator of the facility, has also been booked.

District authorities found that the sky-dining restaurant was functioning without a licence from the local civic body. After identifying the lapses, the District Collector issued the stop memo and sought a detailed report from the village officer regarding the restaurant and its operations, officials said.

Four tourists, including two children, were stuck on the platform—approximately 150 feet above the ground—for more than two hours after the crane malfunctioned on Friday. Fire and rescue personnel brought them down using ropes.

According to the FIR, the restaurant was operating without ensuring public safety. The case has been registered under Section 125 (endangering human lives) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 118(e) (acts causing danger to public safety) of the Kerala Police Act.