WATCH: Man serves food cooked in toilet water to Sabarimala pilgrims, caught by Ayyappa Seva Sangh

A food stall at Erumeli, along the routes leading to the revered Sabarimala temple in Kerala, has come under scanner for reportedly using water from toilets in the preparation of edibles served to pilgrims seeking the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. Unsanitary Practices Revealed During Inspection The Ayyappa Seva Sangh conducted an inspection, revealing that the food stall, managed by Abdul Shehim, who also serves as the DYFI Erumeli Regional Secretary, had been utilising toilet water for cooking for approximately two weeks. This revelation has raised concerns about the safety of the food served to devotees. Shocking Discovery by Vigilance Team According to a report by Manorama Online, a vigilant team from the revenue department caught the staff of the food stall in the act of connecting a hose from the toilet pipe to procure water for their culinary activities. The health department promptly intervened, closing down the temporary shop and initiating legal proceedings against the license holder.

Conflicting Claims and Legal Action Initially, the shop owner asserted that the toilet water was solely used for dishwashing purposes and not for cooking. However, recorded evidence showed a sharp contradiction to his claims. A case has been registered against Shehim by the Revenue Vigilance Squad and the Health Department subsequently, signaling the gravity of the situation. Investigation and Accountability Erumeli Revenue Special Squad Charge Officer Deputy Tehsildar Biju G Nair revealed that the investigation is ongoing, with further inspections planned in the coming days. He underscored that accountability extends beyond the food stall owner, as action will also be taken against the contractor responsible for allowing the hose connection from the toilet tap. Public Health Concerns and Immediate Closure For the unversed, the suspicion surrounding the eatery’s unhygienic practices was initially aroused when a foul smell permeated the vicinity. With inputs from agencies