FDA seizes food products worth over Rs 8 lakh from Pune shop owned by murder accused's father
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted a raid on a Pune shop owned by the family of Siya Goyal, one of the accused in the murder of realtor Ketan Agarwal. During the inspection on July 14, officials seized food products valued at over Rs 8 lakh for alleged violations of food safety norms.
The raid targeted M/s BG Goyal & Company, owned by Pravin Goyal, Siya Goyal's father, located in Pune's Market Yard. Officials reported that 4,172 kg of food products, worth Rs 8,14,630, were seized. The establishment was found to be operating a storeroom without a licence, violating labelling norms, and stocking products suspected to be substandard or unsafe.
The FDA clarified that the action was based solely on alleged violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The agency did not state that the raid was linked to the ongoing murder investigation involving Siya Goyal.
During the inspection, four samples were collected for laboratory analysis: 'Sant' and 'Sadhu' brand turmeric powder, sesame seeds, and soya mini chunks. The seized stock included 598 kg of one brand of turmeric powder, 1,258 kg of another brand, 538 kg of sesame seeds, and 1,778 kg of soya mini chunks.
According to the FDA, the firm also failed to make necessary corrections to its licence details. 'Considering the violations, a notice has been issued directing the firm to stop its business activities until further orders,' an official said.
The raid was conducted by Food Safety Officers KL Sonkamble and Pratik Jadhav under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Nilesh Khose. Pune Zone functions under Joint Commissioner (Food) DW Bhogawade.
Separately, the investigation into Ketan Agarwal's death continues. Siya Goyal (20) and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary (22) are in judicial custody, accused of pushing Agarwal, her fiancé, off a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune district during a trek on June 18. Police have sent a Crime Branch team to Rajasthan after learning that Goyal and Chaudhary had travelled there in December last year. Investigators are probing whether the pair secretly married at a temple, although officials said no CCTV footage was found to confirm the claim. Additionally, investigators are verifying a Snapchat message allegedly sent by Goyal in May in which she reportedly told a friend that her planned wedding to Agarwal 'was not going to take place,' weeks before his death.
