Rupa’s Cafe. Photo: Google Maps
Auckland Council has made a confidential agreement with cafe owner Dilip Rupa over hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid rates.
Last year, the council said it would pursue a forced sale of Rupa's Café in Freeman's Bay and properties in Grey Lynn partly owned by Rupa if he did not pay back debt he owed the council within six months.
Auckland Council would not disclose the amount owed by Dilip Rupa citing legal reasons.
However, information released by the council to the NZ Herald showed Rupa owed almost $900,000 in unpaid rates across three properties by the end of 2024.
Auckland Council chief financial officer Ross Tucker said the council had reached a settlement with the Rupa family.
"We are pleased to see this matter resolved as taking strong action, such as court processes, is very much a last resort," Tucker said.
"Due to confidentiality obligations in the agreement, we cannot disclose further details regarding the Rupa family arrears and related settlement."
In 2021, Rupa was prosecuted for failing to display Covid-19 QR codes at his café.
A spokesperson for Rupa's Café declined to comment.
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