Mohali's 'dog head' mystery: What we know so far
What's the story
A raid at a momo-making unit in Mataur, Mohali, Punjab, has caused national outrage on food safety and cruelty to animals.
What was suspected to be the severed head of a dog, found in the unhygienic kitchen of the factory, was later found to be goat meat, said the district animal husbandry department.
This has turned the focus from possible cruelty charges to food safety violations at the unit.
Factory owners
Owners of Mohali momo factory remain elusive
The owners of the controversial momo factory, Arzudeen, and Joginderpal Singh, remain untraceable. They were booked for spreading infection and adulteration after a food safety officer (FSO) complained two days after the raid.
Action under animal cruelty charges is still pending verification. With the animal husbandry department's findings now in, the potential case of animal cruelty appears to have been effectively "wrapped up."
Hygiene violations
Mohali factory's unsanitary conditions revealed
Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal confirmed that the factory was found to be in gross violation of hygiene and sanitation standards during the March 17 inspection.
A "piece of flesh" was recovered along with the food samples and was sent for examination to senior veterinary officers.
Experts in the department had termed it goat meat; it was about 10 inches by six inches and weighed half a kilogram.
Doubts raised
Whistle-blower questions animal husbandry department's findings
The whistle-blower in the case, Ravi Arora, has cast doubt on the animal husbandry department's findings.
"We clicked photos and videos of the flesh recovered from the spot. Everyone present suspected it to be the severed head of a pug dog or a cat rather than a goat," Arora said, adding yet another twist to the ongoing investigation into food safety violations at Mohali's momo factory.