HC directs Pulla Reddy Sweets outlet to remain shut till Nov 18

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Friday directed that an outlet of G. Pulla Reddy Sweets at Sanath Nagar remain closed till November 18 in a writ petition challenging the suspension of its food safety licence over alleged violations of food safety norms.

The judge is dealing with a writ petition filed by the sweet shop alleging that the outlet was selectively targeted and questioned whether the authorities took similar action against street vendors and other prominent eateries. The State informed the court that 17 establishments, including Mehfil, Shadab and Shah Ghouse, were inspected. The judge observed that food safety inspections should be carried out on a wider scale.

The petitioner contended that it addressed the deficiencies pointed out during both inspections and that the finished products sold at the outlet were free from adulteration. It sought permission to reopen pending the next hearing, arguing that continued closure during the festive season would affect its business. The State placed photographs from the inspections before the court and submitted that a rat hole was found during the first inspection and a cockroach during the second. Observing that public health could not be compromised and deferred the matter for further hearing.