The owner of Apna Bazar, a popular Indian American grocery store in California’s Pleasanton has been charged with price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to India West, consumers complained that Rajvinder Singh had excessively increased the prices of grocery items after the emergency declaration by the governor on March 4th.
Although the emergency declaration allows store owners to increase pricing with drops in sales from stay at home orders, owners are prohibited to charge more than 10 percent of the original price before the time of declaration.
However, Mercury News reported that state investigation confirmed the pricing of several food items in Apna Bazar to have exceeded the 10 percent threshold allowed during a state of emergency. Based on evidence provided by customer receipts, prosecutors say some prices went as much as 300 percent more than what was previously charged.
The food items listed in customer complaints include yellow onions, ginger, green beans, instant noodles, tea, chili peppers, pomegranates and red yams.
As Alameda District Attorney Nancy O’ Malley received chorus of complaints from shoppers through phone calls, e-mails and postings on social media platforms, Republic World reported O’Malley to have filed a nine-count misdemeanor complaint with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra against Singh . The two attorneys announced in a joint statement on May 7th that Singh faces imprisonment in the county jail for not more than a year and/or a fine of not more than $10,000.
O’Malley stressed in the Office of the Alameda District Attorney press release that, “The law prevents businesses from profiteering when we are a in state of emergency. All businesses throughout Alameda County must be on notice that we will not sit idly by and allow consumers to fall prey to price gouging. My office will ensure that businesses adhere to the law and do not exploit consumers.”
Attorney General Becerra added, “We take price gouging seriously and are committed to going after those who break the law during the public health emergency.”
Rajvinder Singh is expected to be arraigned in court on July 9th.
If you have been a victim of price gouging or have information regarding potential price gouging in Alameda County, contact: [email protected]
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