Dhanbad: The food safety department on Friday sealed a gutka warehouse at Bishanpur under Dhanbad police station after its operator allegedly failed to cooperate with an investigation linked to a fire in a gutka-laden container that left the driver injured.A team, led by food safety officer A Raja, reached the premises after receiving information that pan masala and gutka products were being stored there. The inspection was part of the probe into the container fire reported earlier in the day.Officials said warehouse operator Sachin Chaurasia was informed about the inspection but neither came to the site nor made arrangements to open the premises. Repeated calls to him also went unanswered as his mobile phone was reportedly switched off, halting the inspection.As the warehouse remained locked and the owner failed to cooperate, the department sealed the premises. Officials said further legal action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act after the investigation is completed.A Raja said samples of pan masala recovered from the fire-damaged container had already been collected and deposited safely at Sadar police station. The samples will be sent to a laboratory to check whether the products meet prescribed food safety standards. The department will decide its next steps after receiving the test report.The sealing triggered a stir in Bishanpur, with residents closely tracking the case. The incident has also raised questions over the storage and transportation of gutka and pan masala in Dhanbad.Officials said the probe is continuing and strict action will follow if violations are confirmed.
