Key Update

Delhi Police seized 802 kg of fake spices and condiments during a raid in Khari Baoli, Old Delhi’s historic spice market. Acting on a tip-off received on Saturday, police raided the ground floor of a house in the Naya Bans area where an illegal spice manufacturing unit was allegedly operating.

Officials recovered grinding machines, artificial colours, and large quantities of adulterants allegedly used to manufacture fake spice products containing harmful, non-edible substances. DCP (Crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said police found counterfeit turmeric, red chilli, and yellow chilli powders allegedly mixed with coarse rice, crushed chilli stalks, coriander stems, and hazardous industrial dyes to imitate the appearance of genuine spices. Investigators are now tracing the distribution network to determine how much of the adulterated stock may have entered the Delhi-NCR market and reached consumers.

Police Arrest Accused

Police arrested Kalamjeet (31), a resident of Guru Nanak Dev Colony in Mukundpur, from the premises. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to preparing and supplying adulterated turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, amchoor, and garam masala by mixing harmful substances. Police said he distributed the fake products across Delhi-NCR.

Food Safety Officials Collect Samples

Officials from the Department of Food Safety, GNCTD, collected samples from the site for laboratory testing and further legal action under food safety laws. Police registered a case 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).

Source: The Times of India