CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: The city crime branch has dismantled an alleged public distribution system (PDS) grain diversion racket, arresting three individuals and initiating a manhunt for two others, including a political party office-bearer linked to a sitting corporator, officials stated on Sunday. The accused have been remanded to four-day police custody.
In two separate operations conducted within the Jinsi police station limits, authorities confiscated ration grain, nutritional food materials, and vehicles with a combined value exceeding Rs 17 lakh.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sameer Babar Qureshi (Chikalthana), Fahad Laeek Shuttari (Kiradpura), and Fardin Gani Pathan (Chikalthana).
“This action is part of a broader crackdown on the diversion and black marketing of government-supplied essentials,” stated Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar.
Acting on a tip-off, a crime branch team led by Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar raided a godown near MR Function Hall in Kiradpura on Saturday, where large stocks of ration grain intended for PDS beneficiaries were allegedly stored for illegal sale.
The police registered a case under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, Sections 4 and 27 of the Petroleum Act, and Section 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, seizing goods and a vehicle valued at Rs 15.8 lakh.
During further investigation, officials uncovered another diversion involving nutritional food packets meant for children aged six months to three years, as well as pregnant and lactating women under a government welfare scheme. The packets had allegedly been opened, and contents such as fortified rice and nutrition mix were diverted for black market sale.
Following a complaint by the Women and Child Development Department, a separate case was registered under the Essential Commodities Act and relevant sections of the BNS. Food material worth Rs 1.31 lakh was seized.
“The accused were allegedly involved in storing and transporting ration grain and nutrition supplies for illegal sale. Further investigation is underway to trace the absconding accused and identify the wider network involved,” Kalyankar said.
Commissioner Pawar stated that the crackdown would continue, warning of strict action against those siphoning off welfare supplies meant for the poor.
