Zomato, the popular online food delivery platform, made headlines on Sunday as it took swift action following a tragic incident in Patiala, where a 10-year-old girl passed away after consuming a birthday cake ordered through their service.
In response to mounting criticism on social media, Zomato expressed deep sorrow and shock over the unfortunate event. A company spokesperson stated, "We are heartbroken and deeply shaken up by the recent tragic incident that happened in Patiala."
Upon learning of the incident, Zomato promptly removed the restaurant responsible from its platform and banned the owner from operating any establishment through Zomato channels. The matter is currently under police investigation, and Zomato has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
A case has been registered by the police under Sections 273 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint lodged by the family of the deceased girl. Allegations suggest that the girl and other family members fell ill after consuming the cake.
Investigations revealed discrepancies regarding the cake's origin. The bill indicated a shop named 'Cake Kanha,' which was not found at its registered address in Patiala. Suspicions arose that the bakery might be a cloud kitchen, further fueled by a receipt invoice indicating billing from Amritsar instead of Patiala.
The incident sparked outrage among netizens, highlighting concerns over the regulation of cloud kitchens listed on food-delivery platforms.
Read also | Elon Musk: Grok 2 AI Chatbot Poised to Surpass Expectations with Training Progress
Read also | Bill Gates Highlights Global Impact of 'Made in India' Tech Innovations like DPI
