‘Samosa investigation’ leaves Congress red-faced in Himachal after ‘jalebi’ row in Haryana
Shimla:A new controversy has engulfed the Himachal Pradesh government as a CID inquiry into “missing samosas” during a government programme involving Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has drawn flak from the opposition BJP.
Drawing parallels with Haryana’s “jalebi row” that sparked humour on social media, the alleged “samosa investigation” is now taking the spotlight, with critics questioning the government’s priorities.
The opposition BJP has accused the Congress government of trivialising governance by ordering an investigation into a missing snack, sidelining more significant issues in the state.
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “Himachal Pradesh is in the headlines these days, but not for the right reasons. Chief Minister Sukhu’s decisions are leading to national ridicule – samosas are being discussed all over the country.”
Jai Ram highlighted that the issue arose after a government programme held at the police headquarters where samosas ordered for the event allegedly went astray.
A CID officer reportedly launched an inquiry into the incident, resulting in five policemen facing an inquiry. Jai Ram remarked, “The samosas were supposedly devoured by some officers. This was made into a serious issue and labelled an anti-government act.
With so many urgent matters to address, the focus is unfortunately on a snack.”
Chief Minister Sukhu, however, dismissed the claims, asserting that the media misinterpreted the situation.
He clarified that the inquiry was related to misconduct within the CID office, not the missing samosas.
His media adviser Naresh Chauhan further emphasised, “The Chief Minister, who follows a strict diet, does not consume outside food.
The internal inquiry within CID was blown out of proportion.”
However, CID officials rejected the allegations, saying that no official probe had been instituted and that it was an “internal matter” that was being blown out of proportion. Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha, the DGP of Himachal Pradesh CID, said it was a simple matter of a bunch of officers gathering for tea and wondering where boxes of snacks ordered for the event were.
Ojha said that no “probe” had been launched and all that happened was an appeal being made to find out what had happened to the boxes.
Meanwhile, social media erupted in jest over the so-called samosa scandal, with “samosa” trending on X. BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, posted playful comments and pictures, fuelling the satire.
Jai Ram Thakur even hosted a samosa party with colleagues, adding to the spectacle.
