Akhtar Court: Rodent Droppings at Desi Khana 2026

Key Points

• Parvez Akhtar, aged 56 from Pudsey, faces 12 charges relating to the Desi Khana takeaway on Leeds Road in Bradford.
• Charges stem from a food hygiene inspection in March 2025 that uncovered rodent droppings in a freezer storage space and on various shelves.
• Inspectors also found bite marks, smudge marks, and openings at the bottom of the door frame in the back food preparation area.
• Akhtar failed to appear at Bradford Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
• He appeared in court on Friday, 27 March 2026, but the hearing was postponed until 22 May 2026.
• The case involves allegations of serious breaches of food safety regulations at the Indian takeaway.
• No pleas were entered during the initial appearance, and proceedings remain ongoing.

Bradford (The Leeds Times) March 31, 2026 – A 56-year-old man from Pudsey has appeared in court facing 12 charges connected to severe food hygiene violations at the Desi Khana takeaway on Leeds Road, following the discovery of rodent faeces and bite marks during an inspection last year. Parvez Akhtar did not attend an earlier hearing, prompting a bench warrant, but presented himself on Friday, with the case adjourned to May. Authorities highlighted evidence of pest infestation in key food storage and preparation areas, raising significant public health concerns.

What Triggered the Investigation?

The charges against Parvez Akhtar arise directly from a routine food hygiene inspection conducted at Desi Khana takeaway in March 2025. As reported by BBC News, the inspection revealed “rodent droppings” in a freezer storage space and scattered across various shelves, indicating a persistent pest issue. Court documents presented additional findings of

“bite marks, smudge marks, and openings at the bottom of the door frame in the back food preparation area,”

suggesting rodents had accessed critical zones where food was handled.

Bradford Council’s environmental health officers documented these violations meticulously, forming the basis for the 12 counts under food safety legislation. According to the BBC article titled

“Man in court over rodent droppings at takeaway,”

the presence of faeces and structural damage pointed to failures in pest control measures. Similar details emerged in Yahoo News coverage, which noted the inspection’s role in exposing the conditions at the Leeds Road premises.

No prior warnings or improvement notices were mentioned in initial reports, but the severity prompted immediate legal action.

The takeaway, known for serving Indian cuisine, had operated without apparent prior major incidents, making the findings particularly alarming for regulars and regulators alike.

Who is Parvez Akhtar and What Are the Exact Charges?

Parvez Akhtar, 56, resides in Pudsey, a suburb west of Leeds, and is linked to the ownership or management of Desi Khana on Leeds Road, Bradford. BBC reporting identifies him as the individual facing the charges, with no further personal details disclosed in court proceedings to date.

The precise nature of the 12 charges remains tied to breaches of the Food Safety Act 1990 and related hygiene regulations, though specifics beyond pest-related evidence were not elaborated in open sources. As detailed in the BBC’s account, allegations encompass the rodent droppings in storage areas and the gnaw marks in preparation zones. AOL’s brief coverage echoes this, stating

“Parvez Akhtar faces 12 charges relating to the Desi Khana takeaway on Leeds Road after inspectors visited in March last year. The charges relate to rodent…”

Akhtar has not entered any pleas, and full charge sheets are expected at the next hearing. Legal experts note such multi-count indictments often include failures to implement HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) systems, inadequate cleaning, and pest management lapses, though this is inferred from standard practice rather than explicit statements.

Why Did Akhtar Miss the Initial Court Date?

Akhtar’s absence from Bradford Magistrates’ Court earlier in March 2026 led to a warrant for his arrest. According to BBC News,

“The 56-year-old, residing in Pudsey, did not show up for hearing at Magistrates Court earlier month, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest.”

This non-appearance heightened the case’s profile, compelling enforcement action.

Upon surrender, he appeared on Friday, 27 March 2026, but the bench adjourned proceedings to 22 May 2026, allowing time for preparation. The BBC’s UK edition specifies,

“He made an appearance on Friday, but the proceedings were postponed until May 22.”

No reasons for the initial no-show were provided in reports, maintaining judicial neutrality.

This sequence underscores the courts’ firm stance on compliance in food-related prosecutions. Bradford Magistrates’ Court handles numerous such cases annually, but warrants remain a serious escalation.

What Were the Specific Findings from the Inspection?

Environmental health inspectors’ evidence formed the prosecution’s cornerstone. As reported by BBC journalist (unnamed in byline, BBC News team),

“the court was informed of ‘bite marks, smudge marks, and openings at the bottom of the door frame in the back food preparation area.'”

Rodent droppings were “reportedly found in a freezer storage space and on various shelves,” per the same source.

The BBC’s detailed snippet highlights “gnaw marks, smear stains, and openings at the base the door in the food preparation,” varying slightly in phrasing across editions but consistent in substance. These findings indicate not just presence but active infestation, with faeces posing contamination risks to stored goods.

Inspectors likely rated the premises zero out of five for hygiene, standard for such violations, though exact scores await confirmation. Public health implications include potential bacterial spread via rodents carrying pathogens like salmonella.

How Has the Takeaway Responded?

No public statement from Desi Khana or Parvez Akhtar has surfaced in media coverage. The outlet’s online menu persists, listing items like burgers and parmesans, but makes no reference to the case. Operations status post-inspection remains unclear—closures are typical pending rectification.

Yahoo News and AOL republished core facts without proprietor comment, focusing on court developments. As a local business on Leeds Road, a busy thoroughfare, reputational damage could be severe, especially in Bradford’s diverse community reliant on affordable takeaways.

What Happens Next in the Legal Proceedings?

The case adjournment to 22 May 2026 at Bradford Magistrates’ Court signals a full hearing ahead. BBC reports confirm, “the proceedings were postponed until 22 May.”

Potential outcomes range from fines, closure orders, to imprisonment for egregious breaches, per UK food law precedents.

Prosecutors from Bradford Council will present full evidence, possibly including photos and lab tests on samples. Defence may argue mitigation, such as remedial actions taken since March 2025. Neutral observers anticipate a guilty plea or trial, given the documented evidence.

What Are the Broader Implications for Food Safety in Bradford?

This incident spotlights ongoing challenges in West Yorkshire’s takeaway sector. Similar cases, like a 2022 North East Lincolnshire prosecution for rat droppings, resulted in fines and condemnations from councillors. Bradford Council emphasises rigorous enforcement, with Councillor statements in past matters underscoring zero tolerance.

Local residents, including those near Leeds Road, may scrutinise hygiene ratings via the Food Standards Agency site. Desi Khana’s LS7 postcode listing suggests proximity to Leeds, amplifying regional interest. For consumers, it reinforces checking scores—five-star ratings signal compliance.

Public Health Context and Similar Cases

Rodent infestations pose real risks, with droppings harbouring leptospirosis and other diseases. UK regulations mandate proofing and monitoring, failures here evident. Comparable prosecutions, such as Yi Cao’s 2022 guilty plea for hygiene offences including pests, yielded £358 fines plus costs. “Councillor Ron Shepherd… said: ‘I am pleased appropriate action has been taken… The number of food hygiene offences is alarming.'”

In Bradford, diverse cuisine hubs like Desi Khana serve vital community roles, but standards must prevail. No links to illnesses reported here, unlike some outbreaks elsewhere.

Background on Desi Khana Takeaway

Desi Khana at Leeds Road (or nearby Roundhay Road per menus) offers Indian, kebabs, and vegetarian fare. Postcode LS7 places it in Leeds’ orbit, though Bradford-focused. Unrelated to the charges, its menu boasts “Half Pounder £6.90” in lemon & herbs or hot variants, oven-baked parmesans.

The premises’ history lacks prior violations in public records, positioning this as an isolated escalation.