A MANAGER has been accused of ripping off a top Midland restaurant – by pocketing bills settled in cash.

Tarun Arora is alleged to have stolen £23,000 from Milan Indian Cuisine, Birmingham, which he ran.

The 33-year-old was arrested by West Midlands Police after suspicions were allegedly raised by staff and customers.

He has been charged with one count of theft by an employee and is due to attend a plea and case management hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on September 22.

Mr Arora, from Birmingham, was arrested after it is alleged that financial discrepancies were uncovered by restaurant bosses.

It is understood the allegations centre round claims the manager stole a total of £23,000 by allegedly not processing cash payments from customers.

The offence is alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2010.

The manager first appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on June 8.

Milan is a popular gourmet Indian restaurant in Newhall Steet in the city centre.

Online reviews describe the 20-year-old eaterie as “one of Birmingham’s most trusted dining institutions” and a “true hidden gem”.

Its interior is decorated with leather seats, low lighting, fresh white linens and trendy flower arrangements.

In 2008, Mr Arora gave an interview in which he told how Asian restaurants in the region were feeling the pinch from the credit crunch.

Customers were reducing restaurant visits because of the economy and increases in the cost of foods, including vegetable oil, had added to the industry’s concerns.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: ‘‘A 33-year-old man was arrested on April 1 on suspicion of theft and was charged and appeared in court on June 8.”

A spokesman for Milan Indian Cuisine said he was aware of the case but declined to comment further. Mr Arora was unavailable for comment last night.