The “Samosa Scandal” in Himachal Pradesh: How a Snack Mix-Up Sparked a CID Probe

Shimla, November 8 –Samosa Scandal: A seemingly trivial incident involving samosas and cake intended for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has led to a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe, sparking controversy and political debate across the state. The unexpected inquiry stems from a mix-up on October 21, when snacks meant for the chief minister were inadvertently served to his security staff, igniting criticism and allegations of a “misconduct” within the ranks of CID officials.

Samosa Scandal: How the Controversy Unfolded

The incident occurred at the CID headquarters in Shimla, where the chief minister was attending a function. As per reports, three boxes of samosas and cake were ordered from a local hotel in Lakkar Bazaar, specifically intended for CM Sukhu and other VIPs. Due to a communication gap, however, the snacks were served to the CM’s security team instead. An inquiry led by a deputy superintendent of police revealed that the incident resulted from miscommunication between several officers.

A Breakdown in Communication

The inquiry report highlighted the sequence of missteps that led to the mix-up. An inspector general (IG) had directed a sub-inspector (SI) to arrange the snacks, who then instructed an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and a head constable to fetch the refreshments from the hotel. However, none of the CID officials involved clarified that the snacks were meant exclusively for the chief minister, leading to the food being delivered to the mechanical transport section, where it was eventually served to the security staff.

According to the report, only the SI was aware that the snacks were intended for the CM. The assistant inspector who received the snacks reportedly did not confirm with senior officials, leading to the accidental serving of the refreshments to the wrong group.

CID Terms Incident “Anti-Government”

In an unusual twist, an official in the CID department noted that the officers involved had acted in an “anti-government” manner, accusing them of disregarding protocol and failing to ensure the VVIP refreshments reached their intended recipient. “They acted according to their own agenda,” the official’s note added, further complicating what might otherwise have been a minor mix-up.

Opposition Criticizes Probe as Overblown

The opposition quickly seized upon the incident, with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur dismissing the probe as unnecessary. “The opposition has not eaten those samosas; those who were served the samosas were part of the government,” he remarked in a video statement, questioning how the mishap could be construed as anti-government. He added that the investigation was a sign of the current administration’s misplaced priorities.

Delhi | On the 'samosa' controversy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu says,"…There is no such thing..It (CID) got involved on the issue of misbehaviour, but you (the media) are running news about 'samosa'…" pic.twitter.com/peoeKUdTX7

— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2024

Former Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Satti criticized the Congress government, describing the inquiry as making a “laughing stock” of the administration. “It is surprising to hold an inquiry into such a small issue and then term it anti-government. This government has failed and become a laughing stock,” Satti said.

Government Responds: “No Official Probe Ordered”

Amid escalating criticism, Chief Minister Sukhu clarified that the government did not order an official probe into the incident, and the matter was handled internally by the CID. Calling the issue “childish,” Sukhu even joked about the situation, stating, “I don’t eat samosas due to health issues,” during an interview with India Today, breaking into laughter over the so-called “samosa scandal.”

CID Deputy General Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha also asserted that it was an internal matter that should not be politicized. “This is completely an internal matter of the CID. It should not be politicized. The CM does not eat samosas… We have not given notice to anyone,” he said, adding that they are investigating how the details of the incident were leaked.

Political Debate Continues Over Priorities

The “samosa scandal” has become fodder for political debates, with opposition leaders questioning the administration’s priorities. Critics argue that resources spent on investigating the snack mix-up could have been better used on more pressing state issues. Congress leaders, however, insist that the incident was blown out of proportion by the opposition.

As the investigation wraps up, the incident has sparked both amusement and criticism, revealing the often-unpredictable dynamics of political life in Himachal Pradesh. For now, the samosas remain at the center of a state-level scandal that no one anticipated, with political debates adding further spice to an already bizarre episode.