The lentils distributed in various wards of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City in Bara as relief to those affected by the ongoing nationwide lockdown were found to be of substandard quality.

Police on Saturday sealed a grocery store run by Rajesh Raya, the mayor of the sub-metropolis, after it was found selling substandard lentils that had been left unsold for years. The local administration sent the sample of the lentils to the Regional Food Technology and Quality Control Office in Hetauda for a quality test.

“The laboratory test of the sample confirmed that the lentils seized from the store are of substandard quality. We will file a case against the accused under black-marketeering charge,” said Chief District Officer of Bara Rudra Prasad Pandit. “Police will conduct a detailed investigation into the incident and file a case at the district attorney’s office.”

Following numerous complaints from locals, the security personnel had sealed Yadav Cold Store at Ward No. 7 of the sub-metropolis. The store is owned by Nepali Congress leader and former lawmaker Radhechandra Yadav, and is operated by his son, Rajesh Raya.

Raya allegedly forced the ward chiefs to purchase the lentils stored in his shop for the past four years to be distributed as relief to those affected by the lockdown. Around 50 quintals of lentils were sold on credit and distributed to hundreds of families. Some locals returned the lentils to the authorities complaining that they were rotten and not edible.

However, Mayor Raya claimed that the substandard lentils belonged to a Birgunj-based lentil mill and had been stored in his godown for the past four years.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra said police would investigate the incident and file a case accordingly.