The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has temporarily suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the sale of datura fruits and seeds on their platforms for human consumption.

The action followed complaints regarding the sale and online listing of datura products on the platforms. The department had earlier ordered an inquiry into the matter.

During its investigation, the authority found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various e-commerce platforms. In some cases, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and posing a serious health risk if consumed.

The investigation also found packets containing datura fruits and seeds bearing food licence or registration numbers. The products were reportedly stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.

What the companies told the regulator

Representatives of the companies appeared before the authority during the proceedings.

According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response, while Instamart sought additional time to submit documents regarding the action it had taken.

BigBasket said it had stopped the online sale of the fruits. It also said it would correct the labelling in the future to clearly state that the products are “Not for human consumption”.

The regulator, however, found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory and said that storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible.

Licences of suppliers also suspended

The department has directed the concerned authorities to temporarily suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket.

The suspension can be reversed following a hearing if the platforms submit a response.

The licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products to the three online platforms have also been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect.

The order further directs the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption.

A Gurugram resident expressed frustration after spending four hours travelling amid heavy rain and traffic congestion on Monday, August 24.

In a social media post titled “4 Hours and counting for an 8km round trip”, the resident said they had stepped out to pick up their child from school when heavy rain caused traffic to move at a snail’s pace.

The resident said that after four hours, they still had two kilometres left to reach their destination.

“It’s been 4 hours since I stepped out to pick up my kid from school. A total round trip of 8 kms and I still have 2 km left to go,” the resident wrote.

Heavy rain triggers waterlogging, traffic jams

Major parts of Gurugram were heavily inundated as the city witnessed 70–75 mm of rain. 

Traffic movement was severely affected around several key locations, including Rajiv Chowk, Narsinghpur, the Sirhaul border and Subhash Chowk.

The resident strongly criticised the administration, describing the situation as a result of what they called “incompetence” and corruption. 

Social media users share similar experiences

The post drew reactions from other social media users, several of whom shared their own experiences of travelling through Gurugram during the rain.

One user said they began trying to book an Uber auto at 2 pm, got one at 3 pm and reached Huda at 4:30 pm. The user also said they paid four times the fare. 

Another user questioned road planning and infrastructure, arguing that better engineering and planning could help deal with recurring rain-related disruption.

A third user recalled being stuck for hours during heavy rain in 2016 and said a similar situation had occurred in 2026. The user also said they expected such disruptions to continue in the future.

Another social media user said there was “no accountability” and described governance as the underlying problem.

The reactions highlighted residents’ frustration over traffic disruption and waterlogging during heavy rainfall in Gurugram. 

Barely six weeks after withdrawing its nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak issue, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a peaceful march in Delhi on September 5, accusing the government of failing to honour commitments it says were made on July 25.

The satirical group said the march will begin at India Gate and conclude at the Delhi Police Headquarters. It has appealed to students, youth organisations and young citizens to participate in large numbers.

According to the CJP, parents of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and victims of alleged police brutality will lead the march.

Why has CJP announced the march?

The CJP said its National Working Committee reviewed the government’s compliance with commitments allegedly made to young protesters on July 25, following which the nationwide protests were withdrawn.

The group alleged that the government has since delayed action and avoided providing clear commitments on some of its demands.

The CJP had earlier demanded the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak, and an assurance that protesters would not face legal action.

The agitation was called off after the group said the government had agreed to fulfil its demands.

CJP raises issue of FIRs against protesters

The CJP has also alleged that the government did not provide a list of FIRs registered against protesters across the country for quashing, despite what it said was a request from the Supreme Court.

The group further claimed that the government had not given a clear commitment on the issue and that a written assurance to the CJP was still awaited.

“The National Working Committee of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convened today to review the Government of India and BJP/NDA ruled states’ compliance with the solemn commitments made to the young people of this country on 25 July 2026,” the group said in its statement.

It alleged that the government was “playing delay games” and “hiding behind technicalities” instead of implementing the commitments it said had been made.

CJP’s earlier protests over NEET leak

The CJP’s earlier agitation over the NEET paper leak had included protests by its volunteers and students. The demonstrations gained momentum after protesters marching towards Parliament were lathi-charged by Delhi Police, according to the group.

The clashes left several protesters injured, while police personnel were also injured.

The CJP later called off its agitation after saying that its key demand for Pradhan’s resignation had been met and that the government had agreed to address its other demands.

With the latest announcement, the group has now called for another mobilisation in Delhi on September 5.