Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City on Saturday sealed a grocery store after it was found to be selling substandard lentils that were left unsold for years. Yadav Cold Store, located at Ward No. 7 of the sub-metropolis, is owned by Nepali Congress leader and former MP Radhechandra Yadav, and is operated by his son, Rajesh Raya, who is the mayor of the sub-metropolis.

Police sealed the store after they received numerous complaints from locals. The lentils distributed were allegedly unsold for four years, police said.

The sub-metropolis has confiscated 9,500 kg of lentils from the store and collected the sample for further investigation, according to Chief District Officer Rudra Prasad Pandit.

“We will send the sample to be tested at the Regional Food Technology and Quality Control Office in Hetauda on Sunday,” he said.

The same lentil was bought by Ward N0. 1 office to distribute as relief to those affected by the lockdown.

DSP Gautam Mishra of Bara Police said the store owner had sold the lentil on credit to the office of ward number 1.

“The owner tried to trick the buyer amid rumours of food shortage in the lockdown,” Mishra said.

However, Mayor Raya has claimed that the substandard lentil distributed as relief material was not purchased from his store.

“The goods were bought from a retailer who is currently out of contact,” he said but refused to name the retailer.

Chief of Ward No.1 Hariom Sah, however, said his office had recently purchased lentils and potatoes from Raya’s store.

“We purchased six quintals of lentils and 34 quintals of potato from Yadav’s store,” he said.

Chair of Bara Chamber of Commerce Binod Sah has called on the district administration to punish the perpetrators.

“Goods stored for years are now found to be sold at exorbitant prices,” he said. “Entrepreneurs involved in this inhumane activity should be punished.”

A similar case was reported on Friday in Nawalparasi, where locals returned substandard foodstuffs provided to them as relief.