Ghaziabad Dairy Owner Receives Rs 5,000 Fine for Selling Adulterated Paneer
In a significant ruling from Ghaziabad, Vishal Singhal, the proprietor of Jai Durga Dairy located in the Sihani Gate area, has been penalized with a fine of Rs 5,000 for the sale of adulterated paneer back in 2021. The case, which highlights ongoing concerns about food safety standards in the region, saw Singhal pleading guilty in court and requesting the minimum possible punishment.
Court's Detailed Ruling and Penalties
The additional chief judicial magistrate court, presided over by ACJM Neha Badhaunia, delivered a comprehensive judgment. Singhal was sentenced to a fine of Rs 4,000 under Section 51 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which pertains to the selling or manufacture of substandard food that is not necessarily harmful. The court explicitly stated that failure to submit this fine amount within the stipulated time would result in Singhal being sent to jail for 30 days of simple imprisonment.
Furthermore, the court imposed an additional fine of Rs 1,000 along with imprisonment until the rising of the court under Section 59(i) of the Food Safety and Standards Act. This section addresses punishment for the manufacture, storage, sale, or import of unsafe food for human consumption that does not lead to injury. In default of paying this fine, the accused faces an extra 10 days of simple imprisonment.
Background of the Case and Investigation
The legal proceedings stem from an incident on January 8, 2021, when an FIR was filed against Vishal Singhal under sections 51, 59(1), and 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. The case was initiated after Ghaziabad food safety officer Umashankar, leading a dedicated team, conducted an inspection at Jai Durga Dairy. During this visit, samples of paneer were collected for rigorous testing.
These samples were subsequently sent to a laboratory in Lucknow for detailed analysis. The report, dated April 6, 2021, conclusively found the paneer to be both substandard and unsafe for consumption, thereby confirming the allegations of adulteration.
Legal Proceedings and Accused's Confession
Upon appearing before the court, Vishal Singhal submitted a formal confession petition. In this document, he voluntarily admitted to his crime and explicitly requested that the case be settled with the minimum punishment available under the law. This admission played a crucial role in the court's decision-making process.
It is important to note that Section 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, serves as a catch-all penalty clause. It stipulates that any person who contravenes FSSAI regulations, rules, or provisions—where no specific penalty is outlined elsewhere in the Act—can face a penalty extending up to Rs 2 lakh. However, given that Singhal was already charged under other specific sections, the court opted to drop this section, focusing the sentencing solely on offences under sections 51 and 59(i).
This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to enforcing food safety laws and protecting consumer health, sending a clear message to dairy operators and food businesses about the serious consequences of violating regulatory standards.
