The boss of a Michelin-starred restaurant has denied trying to spike a woman’s drink at Mayfair private members’ club Annabel’s.
Vikas Nath, 61, was allegedly in possession the drug GBL on the night of the incident, in the early hours of January 15.
Appearing at Southwark crown court on Monday, Nath pleaded not guilty to attempting to administer a substance with intent and possessing a controlled drug of classB.
He was told there will be a two-year delay until the start of his trial.
Nath, who lives in Knightsbridge, is a director of Terminal Ltd, a company behind high-end Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair as well as a portfolio of other luxury restaurants. He is accused of attempting to administer the drug to the woman – whose identity is protected – with the intention of “stupefying or overpowering her so as to enable you to engage in sexual activity involving her”.
GBL can be taken as a recreational drug, and is classified as a class B illegal substance.
Nath was permitted to sit outside the dock, in the well of the court, for Monday’s plea hearing.
Wearing a dark blue stripped suit, blue tie, and light blue shirt, he spoke to enter two not guilty pleas, and to correct a mispronunciation of his name, saying “Vikas”.
Judge Philip Bartle KC set the trial for February 2, 2026, in a case that is expected to last a week.
Under the terms of his bail, Nath must live and sleep each night at his home in Knightsbridge, he is subject to an electronically tagged curfew between 11pm and 7am, and he must not attend any licenced premises which serves alcohol.
Nath has also been ordered to surrender his UK and US passports, as well as Indian identity documents, not to contact the alleged victim, and to put up a £50,000 security. He is also banned from travelling south of the River Thames, except to attend court hearings.
