Hyderabad police bust illegal racket, seize Rs. 2 cr worth adulterated goods;
HYDERABAD: The Task Force team from the Central Zone, in coordination with the Kachiguda police, successfully dismantled an illegal racket involved in adulterating materials in Hyderabad on Saturday. Three individuals were arrested, and adulterated goods worth Rs. 2 crore were seized.
The suspects, identified as Mahendra Singh, Mithlesh Kumar, and Triyam Kumar, along with a juvenile accomplice, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the procurement, production, and distribution of adulterated products.
The operation, conducted near Kumar Theatre in Kachiguda, resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of duplicate raw materials, spurious food items, and packaging equipment valued at Rs. 2 crore. Investigations revealed that the accused, primarily residents of Rajasthan, had established manufacturing and packing units in Nagaram, Keesara Mandal, and the Katedhan industrial area.
According to the police, the accused sourced low-quality raw materials and various packaging materials like labels, boxes, stickers, bottles, and packing boxes from places like Gujarat, Bangalore, and Delhi. They also employed non-local labor for the preparation of adulterated food items, edible oil, tea powder, soaps, and regular general store items.
The duplicate items were stored at the outskirts of warehouses at Nagaram and Katedan, and were sold in supermarkets, kirana stores, and through distributors and agents on a commission basis.
The accused individuals have been selling these products at lower prices than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), deceiving customers and violating the Copyright Act. These counterfeit goods contain spurious and toxic materials that can pose life-threatening risks even with minimal exposure. Both short and long-term exposure to these substances may result in severe and lasting health consequences for humans. The remaining organisers Shyam Bhati, Kamal Bhati, and Jairam, are currently absconding.
A case was registered against the accused persons under Sections 272, 273, 420 IPC, and Sections 63 and 65 of the Copyright Act at Kachiguda police station. The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior police officials from the Central Zone Task Force and Kachiguda police.