FIR against Snapdeal for flouting Maggi ban

JAIPUR: An FIR has been registered against the CEO and founder of an e-commerce major for allegedly selling popular Maggi noodles online during the ban period, in five Indian states.

A case was registered yesterday against CEO of Snapdeal Kunal Bahl and its founder Rohit Bansal for online sale of Nestle's instant noodles in five states including Rajasthan during the period of ban between June 7 and October 30 last year, police said today.

A complaint was yesterday lodged by Lalit Sharma, a Jaipur-based lawyer following which police registered an FIR under sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 272 (adulteration of food or drink intended for sale), 273 (sale of noxious food or drink) of the IPC and sections 59 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

When contacted, the company spokesperson said they have not received any information on the same.

Last June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had placed a ban on sale of Maggi after they found high levels of lead in it.

The Bombay High Court, however, had revoked the ban on Maggi on October 19 paving the way for it to be back on shelves.