FATEHPUR, Uttar Pradesh – A tea stall owner in Fatehpur has alleged facing harassment and repeated inspections by food safety officials following a visit by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The vendor, Sheshmani Yadav, claims that the increased scrutiny began shortly after Mr. Yadav stopped at his stall for tea in February, leading him to announce the closure of his business.
According to reports, Sheshmani Yadav stated that since Mr. Yadav’s visit, he has been subjected to intimidation and abuse by local individuals, as well as increased attention from government departments. He alleged that officials from the Food Department, among others, have been visiting his stall frequently, causing him distress. In a statement shared on social media, he expressed his intention to leave his village, home, and shop due to the persistent pressure.
The situation escalated when food safety officials collected samples of tea from the stall. Reports also indicated that the officials warned about the use of aluminum utensils, suggesting potential action, including the sealing of the shop. The timing of these inspections, occurring soon after a prominent political figure’s visit, has drawn local attention and raised questions about the routine nature of such checks for small vendors.
Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety (Fatehpur), Rajesh Dixit, however, has denied the allegations of harassment, stating that the inspection and sample collection were conducted on April 15 following a complaint lodged on the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) portal regarding the quality of tea leaves used. Mr. Dixit mentioned that the samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing and the report is awaited. He added that the department has no direct connection with the shopkeeper’s claims and that the stall’s license is valid until 2028. He also noted that such routine checks are part of the department’s regular operations and were carried out at other locations as well.
Earlier, in January 2023, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had declined tea offered to him at the UP Police Headquarters in Lucknow, citing apprehension that it might be “poisoned.” He had reportedly made a remark about drinking tea from outside. This incident had also sparked controversy at the time.
In a separate incident reportedly occurring around the same time as the food safety inspection, Sheshmani Yadav claimed that he and his family were assaulted by local residents at the stall. His son alleged that misbehavior and theft of cash occurred. Police have registered a case against four individuals in connection with this incident, stating that the altercation arose from a money dispute over tea, and three accused have been arrested.
The owner of the stall, ‘UP Top Chai,’ had gained prominence in February when Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, made an unscheduled stop at his roadside stall while passing through Fatehpur. The visit was documented and shared on social media by Mr. Yadav. The subsequent claims of harassment by the tea vendor have injected a political dimension into the matter, with the Samajwadi Party reportedly criticizing the ruling party over the alleged vendetta.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
