In a major crackdown on fertiliser black marketing, the Punjab Police have seized 1,495 bags of subsidised urea from a godown in Rajpura. The consignment was allegedly meant to be sold at higher rates and diverted for other purposes, depriving farmers of essential subsidies.
FIR Registered Against Two Traders
An FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 319(2), 338, 336(3), and 61(2), along with Sections 3, 7, 8, 19, and 35(1)(a) of the Fertiliser (Control) Order, and Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. The case has been filed at the Kheri Gandian police station in Rajpura sub-division against two local traders.
Raids Conducted on Complaint
The police action followed a complaint by Fertiliser Inspector Gurdhian Singh, who conducted a raid at a godown near DAV School on the Sadhkheri road. During the inspection, he discovered 1,495 bags of urea that lacked mandatory details such as the manufacturer’s name, batch number, distributor’s information, and maximum retail price.
Accused Identified
The accused have been identified as Sajal Gudwani of M/s Ram Protein Products, Rajpura, and Mohit Kumar of M/s Mangla Chemicals, New Delhi. According to police officials, documents produced during the inspection indicated that the stock had been procured from a Delhi-based firm. However, laboratory analysis of samples revealed that the material was Neem-Coated Agricultural Grade Urea, a fertiliser supplied to farmers at subsidised rates by the central government.
Unauthorised Storage and Diversion
In his complaint, the inspector claimed that the fertiliser was stored in an unauthorised godown without the required licence and was being diverted for sale at higher prices. The alleged diversion not only violates fertiliser control regulations but also results in misuse of public subsidy funds meant for farmers.
The police have launched a detailed investigation to trace the entire supply chain and identify any other individuals involved in the illegal trade. Further arrests are expected as the probe progresses.
