Three Traders Face Legal Action for Allegedly Selling Banned Pakistani Cosmetics in Maharashtra City
In a significant enforcement action, the City Chowk police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have registered a case against three local traders for allegedly stocking and selling cosmetic products originating from Pakistan, which are prohibited under current Indian regulations. The operation, conducted on Sunday, resulted in the seizure of goods valued at approximately Rs 59,980 from three separate shops across the city.
Details of the Raids and Accused Individuals
The coordinated police raids took place between 1:50 PM and 5:00 PM on Sunday, targeting three establishments. According to the official complaint filed by Sub-Inspector Pravin Tekale, the accused have been identified as:
- Mohammad Abrar (26), a resident of Nawabpura who operates Highlight Collection in Ghasmandi.
- Ankur Agrawal (35), a resident of Shahganj who runs Om Traders.
- Juman Khan (48), a resident of Shahabaazar who owns Falak Emporium at City Centre Mall on Rangargalli.
The First Information Report (FIR) was formally registered later that night at 10:55 PM under multiple legal provisions, including sections of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Nature of the Seized Goods and Legal Violations
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-I) Pankaj Atulkar stated that during the raids, authorities discovered a substantial quantity of cosmetic items, including whitening creams, soaps, serums, and beauty packs from various brands. These products were allegedly being stocked for sale without valid purchase bills or import documentation.
"These items are suspected to have been illegally imported from Pakistan. Import of these items has been prohibited by a Government of India notification," an officer involved in the investigation confirmed.
The seizure details reveal that goods worth Rs 52,180 were recovered from Mohammad Abrar's shop, comprising multiple variants of beauty creams, soaps, and serums under different brand labels. From Ankur Agrawal's premises, products valued at Rs 6,000 were confiscated, while items worth Rs 1,800 were seized from Juman Khan's establishment.
Legal Framework and Investigation Progress
Investigators emphasized that the accused were found in possession of the products without any legitimate invoices or import documents, raising serious suspicions of illegal trade activities. "The products were kept for sale, thereby cheating customers and violating government regulations," a police officer remarked.
Officials clarified that, as per a Directorate General of Foreign Trade notification dated May 2, 2025, the import of goods originating from Pakistan has been explicitly banned. Despite this prohibition, the accused allegedly procured and stocked such items for commercial sale.
The offence has been registered under specific sections, including 3(3) and 11(2) of the FTDR Act, alongside BNS sections 318(4) and 223, and sections 18(A) and 27 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The case was registered on the direct orders of the senior inspector at the City Chowk police station. Sub-Inspector Dagadkhair served as the complainant in this instance, while further investigative responsibilities have been assigned to Sub-Inspector Rathod.
Police authorities have confirmed that a comprehensive probe is currently underway to trace the supply chain and identify any additional individuals or entities involved in this illicit trade network. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the operation and ensure compliance with national trade regulations.
