Pune: Parag Milk Foods Ltd, the company behind the Gowardhan brand, has initiated a defamation lawsuit worth ₹100 crores and a criminal case against Devdatt Nikam, former chairman of the Manchar Market Committee, and Praveen Pardhi.
The company alleges that these individuals, along with others, deliberately tarnished the brand's reputation by spreading false information.
Sanjay Mishra, Senior Vice President of Parag Milk Foods Ltd, announced this development via a press release. The controversy began when Nikam, Pardhi, and a few others complained to the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office in Ghodegaon about larvae allegedly found in the milk supplied to an English medium school in Ghodegaon.
Mishra clarified that for the past six years, the school has been receiving Tetra Pak milk, which is globally recognized for its safety and nutritional value. The state government had contracted multiple dairies, including Gowardhan Manchar-Awasari Khurd, to supply this milk.
The company claims that the milk boxes were tampered with and the allegations were part of an extortion attempt. They argue that proper protocol was not followed, as the Food and Drug Administration should have been notified for inspection. Instead, the complainants conducted their own investigation and circulated the information via videos.
Parag Milk Foods Ltd insists that the state government should investigate this suspicious incident thoroughly, as it believes the allegations are unfounded and part of a larger conspiracy.
Sanjay Mishra, Senior Vice President, Parag Milk Foods Company Limited stated, "The milk sold in Tetra Pak is the safest and most nutritious. The milk is heated to a high temperature and then cooled before being packed in Tetra Pak. The Tetra Pak has six layers, making the milk stored in it healthy and safe. Tetra Pak is globally recognized for its standards."
