In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Jaipur police have arrested the alleged mastermind behind a large-scale fake ghee manufacturing unit operating in the city. The arrest comes just a day after the illicit factory was busted in the Sarna Dungar area.
Kingpin Nabbed from Haryana
The prime accused, identified as 60-year-old Virendra Sharma, was apprehended from Palwal in Haryana on Monday. This arrest brings the total number of individuals held in connection with the case to five. The police action followed a major raid conducted on Sunday, which led to the seizure of approximately 7,500 litres of spurious ghee. The counterfeit product was being packaged and sold using labels of popular and trusted brands like Amul and Saras.
Modus Operandi of the Racket
During interrogation, Sharma disclosed his background in the dairy industry, which provided him with the technical knowledge to execute the fraud. "He revealed that he earlier worked in a dairy, where he picked up the tricks of the trade," said Hanuman Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West). "Later, he started manufacturing spurious ghee and edible oils on his own."
The police detailed the sophisticated yet dangerous operation. The accused were producing fake ghee by mixing edible oils with artificial essence. This concoction was then packed for widespread distribution in various sizes:
- 15-kilogram tins
- 1-kilogram packs
- 500-gram containers
All these packages bore expertly forged labels of established brands to deceive consumers. The illegal factory had a staggering production capacity of nearly 2,000 litres of fake ghee per day.
Distribution Network and Ongoing Probe
To avoid raising suspicion, the operators employed a discreet supply chain. The finished product was loaded directly onto vehicles inside the factory premises and supplied straight to local markets, bypassing standard checkpoints. Investigations have confirmed that the spurious ghee was being circulated across multiple districts, though the full extent of the distribution network is still being mapped.
Authorities are now focused on uncovering the complete supply chain and identifying all recipients of the adulterated product. Key questions remain about how long the racket was operational and the identities of all suppliers and distributors involved. The police have assured that further investigations are underway to dismantle the entire network and ensure such fraudulent activities are stopped.
This case highlights a serious breach of food safety and consumer trust, prompting concerns about the need for stricter vigilance in the edible oils and dairy products market.
