PITHORAGARH: The chief judicial magistrate of Pithoragarh sentenced three men, including an assistant manager of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, to six months in prison and fined all three defendants for failing a soan papdi food test.
On Oct 17, 2019, a food safety inspector visited Lila Dhar Pathak’s shop at Main Market in Berinag, Pithoragarh, where concerns were raised about Patanjali Navratna Elaichi Soan Papdi (a sweet).
Samples were collected and notices issued to Kanaha Ji Distributor, Ramnagar, and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Haridwar. Forensic testing at the state food and drug testing laboratory in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar, was conducted on May 18, 2019.
In Dec 2020, the state food safety department received a report from the laboratory indicating the sweet’s substandard quality. Consequently, cases were filed against businessman Lila Dhar Pathak, distributor Ajay Joshi, and Patanjali assistant manager Abhishek Kumar.
Following hearings, the court handed down sentences of six months’ imprisonment and fines of Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, and Rs 25,000 to Pathak, Joshi, and Kumar respectively, under section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The court’s decision stemmed from violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. “The evidence presented in court clearly demonstrated the substandard quality of the product,” the food safety officer said.
