Who doesn't love pani puris? We seldom worry about hygiene when we stand in line for some crunchy golgappas. However, a pani puri vendor in Bengaluru, identified as Pavan Kumar, was recently arrested in West Bengaluru for allegedly using low-quality and spoiled ingredients, according to The Times of India. Kumar, who has been selling pani puri near Navarang Theatre for the past three years, faced arrest due to reports of unsanitary practices. Although detained, he was released on bail with a warning.
The incident came to light when two locals noticed Kumar using spoiled onions and potatoes in his fillings. It was further alleged that he sourced unclean water from a borewell tank for the pani preparation. An autorickshaw driver named Keshav filed a complaint, stating he observed Kumar collecting water from the borewell on September 29.
At first, the vendor claimed the water was only for washing plates, but he admitted the truth when Keshav and his friend caught him pouring the borewell water into a steel pot. The vendor then confessed that he used this water to make the pani for his pani puris. Upon further inspection, Keshav and his friend Vijay also found rotten onions and potatoes on the cart, along with unwashed coriander leaves added to the mix.