Fake ghee worth ₹1.6 crore seized in Rajasthan, three persons arrested

A major operation has been conducted as part of a state-wide campaign against food adulteration in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district ahead of the Diwali festivals. According to a report by Hindustan Times, officials raided two locations and seized more than 22,000 litres of fake and expired ghee worth approximately ₹1.60 crore. The police have arrested three persons in this matter.

According to a report by PTI News Agency, the operation involved a joint team of the CID Crime Branch, local police, and food safety officials. The police have arrested three individuals named Ram Tayal (26 years), Mukesh Kumar (24 years), and Vikas Kumar (42 years). Officials recovered a total of 22,138 litres of ghee from two different locations. Additionally, a suspicious cash amount of ₹3.50 lakh earned through the sale of ghee was also recovered.

During the raids, inspections were carried out at the warehouse and factory of Ananya Trading Company. There, officials found 16,394 litres of suspicious adulterated ghee, which was packed under various brand names such as Trisalva, Bansari, Shrinand, and Mayra. During the investigation, expired ghee, label-less containers, packaging material, stickers, packing machines, and other equipment were also found.

Preliminary interrogation by the police revealed that expired and returned ghee was being re-packed with new labels and sold in the market. Investigators also suspect that palm oil and vegetable oil were sourced from Gujarat to manufacture this adulterated ghee. This fake ghee was being supplied to dealers in Sri Ganganagar and surrounding areas.

Food safety officials have sealed the sites after collecting samples for laboratory testing. Meanwhile, strict action was also taken against food adulteration in Delhi before the festive season. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Delhi government raided three locations in the capital and seized 948.9 litres of suspicious adulterated ghee.

During this operation in Delhi, 389.9 litres were found from Bhogal Market in South-East Delhi, 338 litres from Najafgarh Market in South-West Delhi, and 221 litres from Shiv Vihar in North-East Delhi during a joint operation with the Delhi Police. Officials have collected 15 ghee samples from Bhogal and Najafgarh markets and sent them for laboratory testing, and further action will be taken based on the results.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the government is planning to modernise the Food Safety Department and increase the number of staff to accelerate inspection and enforcement. If necessary, employees from other departments can also be deployed. Gupta further added that this campaign will not be limited only to the festive season but will continue throughout the year, and all strict actions will be taken against those involved in food adulteration.

The government is also planning to run a public awareness campaign to create awareness among the public, so that residents can report food adulteration, poor quality food, and the sale of expired products. Officials have stated that residents can register their complaints on the Food Safety Department's helpline number 1800-11-3921 during office hours.