Cuttack, Sept. 24 (UDN): Police have launched an investigation after a customer alleged that beef was served to him instead of mutton at a hotel in the Jagatpur area of Odisha’s Cuttack district.
The allegation was made by Smrutiranjan Mohanty, who claimed that he had ordered a mutton thali at Khandai Heritage hotel while travelling with his family.
Following the complaint, police collected a sample of the meat served at the establishment and sent it for laboratory examination to determine the type of meat.
Police Collect Meat Sample
Cuttack Zone-1 ACP Arun Kumar Swain, along with personnel from Jagatpur police station, visited the hotel after receiving the complaint and began an inquiry.
Police officials said the laboratory examination will be crucial in establishing whether the meat served to the customer was mutton or another type of meat. Authorities have not drawn any conclusion pending the test report.
Activists associated with Hindu organisations also reportedly reached the police station and sought action in connection with the allegation.
Customer Seeks Clarification
According to Mohanty, he stopped at the hotel with his family while returning home and ordered a mutton thali. He said his wife noticed what she considered unusual bones in the dish after feeding their daughter.
Mohanty claimed he subsequently raised the issue with the hotel management and was told that vinegar was used while cooking large quantities of mutton, which could have caused some bones to change colour.
Dissatisfied with the explanation, he approached the police and lodged a complaint, following which the meat sample was seized for testing.
“I want to know what I actually ate—whether it was goat meat or something else,” Mohanty said.
Investigation Underway
ACP Swain said police reached the hotel after receiving information about the complaint, seized the suspected meat and forwarded it for laboratory analysis.
The hotel owner’s response to the allegation was not available at the time of reporting.
Police said further action will be based on the laboratory findings and other aspects of the investigation. Until the test results are received, the allegation regarding the identity of the meat remains unverified.