Chaos erupted on Saturday at the newly opened ‘Chaat King India’ restaurant in the city’s Pudda Market when a dead lizard was discovered in a *tikki* served to a customer. Following the incident, people present at the scene staged a strong protest, prompting a Health Department team to raid the restaurant and initiate an investigation.
According to reports, the affected customer, Manu, had visited the restaurant with his friends to eat *tikki* and *bhalla*. Manu recounted that while eating the *tikki*, he sensed a strange object in his mouth. Initially, he mistook it for a coriander leaf, but upon spitting it out and examining it, he discovered it was a dead lizard. Shocked by the discovery, he immediately lodged a complaint with the restaurant management.
Eyewitnesses reported that instead of taking the matter seriously, the female operator of the restaurant allegedly remarked, “Lizards are found in homes too; what is the big deal?” This comment further infuriated the customers. They alleged that there had been previous complaints about finding hair in the food served there.
About two hours after receiving information about the incident, a Health Department team led by Food Safety Officer Divya Goswami arrived at the site to inspect the restaurant. Several serious irregularities were uncovered in the kitchen during the inspection. Officials found that staff living quarters and a toilet had been set up within the kitchen area itself. Additionally, garbage bins were overflowing, chutneys that were several days old were found stored there, and staff members were observed preparing food without hairnets or gloves. The Health Department team collected samples of various food items and sent them to the laboratory for testing. The department has issued a notice to the restaurant management, directing them to rectify all deficiencies within two days. They have also warned that strict action will be taken if any shortcomings are found during a follow-up inspection. Officials stated that further action would be taken in accordance with regulations once the sample report is received. Following this incident, concerns regarding the quality and hygiene of food products have grown among city residents. People have demanded that the administration conduct regular inspections of other food establishments in the city as well.
