In a major crackdown on food adulteration, Delhi Police have seized 802 kilograms of counterfeit spices and condiments from Khari Baoli, the historic spice market in Old Delhi. The operation was conducted following a tip-off received on Saturday regarding an illegal spice manufacturing unit operating from the ground floor of a house in the Naya Bans area of Khari Baoli.
Details of the Raid
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, the premises contained adulterated spices, artificial colors, and raw materials used for preparing fake spices. The police seized grinding machinery and a large quantity of raw, non-edible adulterants. Among the confiscated items were fake red chili, turmeric, and yellow chili powders that were heavily mixed with coarse rice, pulverized chili stalks, coriander stems, and hazardous industrial dyes mimicking the natural hues of the spices.
The police are currently investigating how much of these counterfeit spices have already reached consumers. A raid was conducted on the Khari Baoli house, where a grinding and manufacturing setup was found allegedly producing adulterated spices.
Arrest and Confession
One person, identified as Kalamjeet (31), a resident of Guru Nanak Dev Colony in Mukundpur, was arrested. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to preparing and supplying adulterated spices such as turmeric, red chili, yellow chili, coriander, amchoor (dry mango powder), and garam masala powders by mixing harmful adulterants. The fake spices were distributed across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Legal Action
Officials from the Department of Food Safety, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), also collected samples for laboratory testing and for legal proceedings under food safety laws. A case has been registered under sections 274 (adulteration of food for sale), 275 (sale of noxious food), 318 (cheating), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The seizure underscores the ongoing efforts to combat food adulteration and protect public health. Further investigations are underway to trace the distribution network and identify other individuals involved in the illicit trade.
