Following a tragic incident in Patiala, Zomato, a popular food delivery app, has responded to the backlash by taking swift action. A young girl tragically passed away after consuming her birthday cake, which was ordered through Zomato. In response, the company has removed the restaurant, named ‘Cake Kanha’, from its platform and banned the restaurant owner from operating any entities on Zomato in the future. Zomato has also pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies in their investigation into the matter.
The incident reportedly occurred when the young girl consumed a birthday cake ordered from ‘Cake Kanha’. Tragically, the same cake caused illness among other members of the family who consumed it.
A spokesperson for Zomato expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “We are heartbroken and deeply shaken up by the recent tragic incident that happened in Patiala. As soon as we learnt about the incident, which is now under police investigation, we immediately delisted the restaurant from the Zomato platform. We have also debarred the restaurant owner from operating any entity on Zomato. We are extending our complete support to the law enforcement agencies in the matter.”
Law enforcement authorities have taken action by lodging a case under Sections 273 (selling harmful food or drink) and 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint from the girl’s family. This indicates the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the legal aspects of the incident.
An important revelation in the investigation has been the discovery that the physical address listed for ‘Cake Kanha’ does not exist in Patiala, as indicated on the order’s bill copy. This has led investigators to suspect that the operation might be a cloud kitchen, a type of restaurant that exclusively serves customers through online orders without a physical dining space. Additionally, another receipt showed billing from Amritsar, not Patiala, raising further questions about the restaurant’s operations.
The tragic incident has sparked concerns not only about the safety of food ordered through online platforms but also about the authenticity and transparency of the establishments listed on such platforms. It underscores the importance of rigorous checks and regulations to ensure the quality and safety of food served to consumers.
Zomato’s prompt action in removing the restaurant from its platform and cooperating with authorities reflects the company’s commitment to prioritizing customer safety and well-being. However, the incident also highlights the need for continuous vigilance and improvements in the food delivery ecosystem to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Overall, the response from Zomato and the ongoing investigation by law enforcement agencies signal a concerted effort to address the unfortunate incident and ensure accountability for those responsible.
