Bhilwara Authorities Crack Down on Counterfeit Food Operation
In a significant enforcement action, the Bhilwara district police and a team from the health department conducted a coordinated raid on Sunday, successfully dismantling a counterfeit food production racket. The operation resulted in the arrest of one individual who was allegedly manufacturing fake Saras brand ghee by illicitly blending vanaspati ghee with cotton seeds.
Campaign Against Food Adulteration
Food Safety Officer Ashok Yadav confirmed that this decisive action was executed under the district-wide "Shuddh Aahar - Milavat Par Vaar" campaign. This initiative is being rigorously implemented following the directives issued by District Collector Jasmeet Singh Sandhu, aiming to protect consumers from adulterated food products.
According to Yadav, the Subhash Nagar police station received specific intelligence indicating that fraudulent Saras ghee was being produced and marketed within their jurisdiction. Acting promptly on this tip-off, a joint task force comprising officers from Subhash Nagar police and the food safety department launched a surprise inspection at a residential property located opposite Bioscope.
Details of the Raid and Seizures
During the thorough search of the premises, officials discovered an active operation where vanaspati and cotton seeds were being mixed to create a substance masquerading as pure ghee. This counterfeit product was then being systematically packaged into containers bearing the authentic Saras brand labeling.
The enforcement team immediately collected multiple samples of the adulterated ghee, which were dispatched to the public health laboratory in Jaipur for comprehensive chemical analysis and verification. To authenticate the findings, a representative from Bhilwara Saras was summoned to the site to examine the seized materials and confirm the fraudulent nature of the operation.
Police authorities have formally registered a case at the Subhash Nagar police station, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and have initiated a detailed investigation into the matter.
Substantial Contraband Recovered
The raid yielded a substantial haul of illicit goods, including:
- 31 tins of counterfeit Saras ghee, each weighing 15 kilograms
- Among these, 25 tins were marked with Ajmer Dairy identifiers, while six carried Bhilwara Dairy markings
- Significant quantities of raw oil utilized in the ghee manufacturing process
- Multiple containers of vanaspati ghee used as a base ingredient
- Fraudulent Saras brand label papers and packaging materials
- Various pieces of equipment specifically employed in the preparation and packaging of the fake product
Arrest and Official Statement
Subhash Nagar police station in-charge Kailash Chandra Bishnoi provided further details, stating, "We conducted this raid based on credible information regarding the preparation of counterfeit ghee under the Saras brand name. All tins containing the fake ghee, along with associated materials, have been confiscated. In connection with this case, we have arrested 45-year-old accused Shankar Lal."
This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of local authorities to combat food adulteration and safeguard public health through vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement actions.
