A New Jersey Indian restaurant can be sued for emotional distress as well as the costs of religious purification ceremonies in Haridwar, by 16 patrons to whom it accidentally served non vegetarian food.
A state appellate court reinstated a lawsuit against Moghul Express for breach of express warranty, for mistakenly delivering non vegetarian **samosas** to customers who had ordered vegetarian ones in summer 2009.
The plaintiff’s lawsuit claims: “Hindu vegetarians believe that if they eat meat, they become involved in the sinful cycle of inflicting pain, injury and death on God’s creatures, and that it affects the karma and dharma, or purity of the soul. Hindu scriptures teach that the souls of those who eat meat can never go to God after death, which is the ultimate goal for Hindus. The Hindu religion does not excuse accidental consumption of meat products. One who commits the religious violation of eating meat, knowingly or unknowingly, is required to participate in a religious ceremony at a site located along the Ganges River in Haridwar, Uttranchal, India, to purify himself. The damages sought by plaintiffs included compensation for the emotional distress they suffered, as well as economic damages they would incur by virtue of having to participate in the required religious cleansing ceremony in India.”