A man in Punjab has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and fined Rs. 1 million for supplying dead chicken to various hotels across the province. The sentencing came after months of investigation revealing his involvement in an illegal meat supply network operating across multiple districts.
According to reports, the supplier had been sourcing expired or dead poultry from farms and selling it to hotels at low prices. The dead chicken was later processed and served to customers, raising serious health and hygiene concerns. Authorities stated that such actions posed a grave risk to public safety, violating food laws and ethical standards.
Officials said the accused had been under watch for some time before being caught red-handed during a raid. The investigation exposed a broader network that had been active in Lahore and nearby areas. In June, police busted another gang involved in resuming the supply of dead chicken to Lahore hotels, highlighting how the practice continues despite repeated crackdowns.
The recent sentencing has been seen as a strong message against such illegal suppliers. Food safety officers emphasized that the dead chicken trade not only violates food standards but also undermines trust in local eateries. The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) urged hotel owners to verify their meat sources and warned that strict monitoring would continue across the province.
This case has sparked renewed discussion among citizens about food safety practices in Punjab. Many have called for more regular inspections and harsher penalties for those who endanger public health for profit. Authorities assured that further actions will be taken against anyone found contributing to the supply of dead chicken, regardless of their connections or business scale.
