Black salt, known as kala namak, is a distinctive condiment in Indian cooking. Its signature pinkish-grey or purple hue and sulphurous aroma make it a staple in various Indian dishes. Beyond its culinary use, black salt is recognised in traditional medicine for its digestive properties and is often relied upon to alleviate indigestion and gas. It also plays a crucial role in popular Indian street foods. Additionally, black salt has cultural and religious significance in India, used in rituals and festivals. Sourced primarily from the Himalayan region, its traditional hand-harvesting and sun-drying methods add to its appeal, making it a versatile and culturally rich ingredient in Indian cuisine and daily life.
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In a video shared by a food blogger on Instagram, we witness people in Uttar Pradesh engaging in the production of black salt. The process unfolds under the scorching sun as they arrange dried cow dung cakes on a wooden slab and add coal pieces to fuel the fire. Next, they cut rubber tubes into sections, set them on fire, and place the burning tubes over the setup. Additional cow dung cakes are layered over the fire, and one-time-use clay pots are positioned atop them, containing rock salt. To purify it, they employ natural toxin-absorbing balls known as Harana. The process intensifies as they place more coal pieces on top of the pots. Next, they securely cover the clay pots with clay lids and leave them to bake for 24 hours. After this time, they  retrieve the clay pots using metal pokes and open them, revealing solid pieces of black salt. These pieces are then broken down or ground into a finer salt, rendering it suitable for consumption. Take a look:

This unique process of making black salt worried viewers online. One concerned user asked, “Brother does not look healthy in any way. Burning tyre and coal, what are we eating?” “Was burning rubber tyres necessary? Highly toxic if I’m not wrong,” read a comment. A person claimed that the salt in the video was “fake”. Echoing a similar sentiment, another added, “This is fake Himalayan salt or black salt. Please avoid consuming this. It can cause kidney stones and other diseases as it contains heavy metals like lead, mercury, etc. as the base material is sea salt which is contaminated.
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A user quoted the information available on Google and said, “Burning tires release a significant amount of toxic pollutants into the air. These pollutants include sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM), including fine particles known as PM2.5.”

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The Aam Aadmi Party is planning to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s decision rejecting former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, party sources said on Monday.

In a setback to Mr Sisodia, the top court earlier in the day rejected his regular bail pleas in corruption and money-laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam and said the transfer of Rs 338 crore was tentatively established in the matter.

“The party is planning to file a review petition against the order,” a party source said.

A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti said it has recorded the statements of the probe agencies that the trial in these cases will conclude in six to eight months.

But if the trial proceeds in a “sloppy manner”, Mr Sisodia will be at liberty to apply for bail in these cases in three months, the bench said.

AAP leader Atishi said the party and its leaders respect the Supreme Court but do not agree with its order.

At a press conference here after the order, Atishi said the court has given an “adverse order” despite making sharp observations against probe agencies.

“While his bail plea was being heard, the Supreme Court constantly asked the ED tough questions like where is the money trail. The apex court also pointed out that the case is based on the statement of one approver Dinesh Arora,” she said.

“Despite these sharp observations, the SC gave an adverse verdict. We will study that order deeply and explore our legal options and decide our next step,” she added.

The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to ex-Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor excise policy case, noting that a money trail of Rs 338 crore had been “tentatively established” and that the “rule of law applies equally to all citizens and institutions, including the State”.

In refusing Mr Sisodia bail, the court accepted the CBI’s argument against the Aam Aadmi Party leader – that there is a “carefully hatched conspiracy… (to) assure unjust enrichment” of a select few, and that the policy “facilitated getting bribes” from wholesale distributors “assured exorbitant profits”.

READ | “Money Trail Tentatively Established”: No Supreme Court Relief For Manish Sisodia

In a 41-page order the top court also noted the CBI’s claim that the now-withdrawn policy “favoured and promoted cartelisation”, pointing to the permit granted to Indo Spirit despite several such complaints.

Mr Sisodia can apply for bail again after three months, a two-judge bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said. Earlier the court had said Manish Sisodia could not be kept in jail indefinitely.

What Did Supreme Court Say In Manish Sisodia Bail Plea?

The court noted the CBI’s claim that the previous policy had been modified to facilitate bribes from wholesale distributors by enhancing their commission from five per cent to 12 per cent.

This change, the court said, meant they earned seven per cent more commission for the 10 months the policy was in place. This figure, which “cannot be challenged”, is Rs 338 crore, the court added.

This means the policy – which deviated from expert opinions on Mr Sisodia’s orders, according to the CBI – was created to provide windfall gains to select distributors in return for kickbacks, the court added. Further, the court also accepted the claim income so earned was recycled partly and returned in the form of bribes, portions of which were allegedly used by the AAP for the Goa election.

READ | “Want To Clarify…”: Supreme Court On “Making AAP An Accused” Question

The CBI had alleged Mr Sisodia was “aware that three liquor manufacturers have 85 per cent share in Delhi market… as per the new exercise policy, each manufacturer could appoint only one wholesale distributor (but) wholesale distributors could enter into agreements with multiple manufacturers”.

The court accepted the claim that this “favoured and promoted cartelisation”, noting “large wholesale distributors with high market share… were ensured to earn exorbitant profits”.

READ | Manish Sisodia Can’t Be In Jail Forever: Supreme Court To Probe Agencies

The court also referred to the role of Vijay Nair – described as the “go-between” and “co-confidante” of Mr Sisodia – and that he had “assured” the “South Group” cartel they would be made (and they were made) distributors for Pernod Ricard, one of the biggest liquor manufacturers in the domestic market.

What Is Delhi Liquor Policy Case?

The case pertains to the now-scrapped 2021 policy, under which the ruling AAP withdrew from liquor sales and allowed private individuals to run stores.

The Delhi government reported a 27 per cent increase in income from the policy and generated Rs 8,900 crore in revenue. Trouble, however, erupted after reports Mr Sisodia had bent, if not violated, rules to award liquor licenses.

READ | NDTV Explainer: All You Need To Know About Delhi Liquor Policy Case

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena then ordered a CBI inquiry that then snowballed into an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate and the arrests of the senior AAP leader and others.

The agency has claimed the policy lost the Delhi government Rs 2,800 crore.

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