- By News Desk
- Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:46 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
On the day of Vijayadashami, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted a large-scale adulterated desi ghee racket operating in North-East Delhi. In a series of planned raids, police uncovered three illegal production units, seizing a total of 1,625 kilograms of counterfeit desi ghee and arresting six individuals.
The operation was conducted to curb the adulteration business that aimed to exploit the increased demand for sweets and ghee during the festive season of Dussehra and Diwali.
Simultaneous Raids In North-East Delhi
Acting on information from informants, a special team from the Crime Branch Central Range, led by Inspector Veer Singh, conducted three simultaneous raids:
First Raid (Shiv Vihar, Karawal Nagar): Police arrested Safiq (30) and recovered 520 kg of counterfeit ghee in 33 tins, along with various chemicals and adulterants.
Second Raid (Shiv Vihar Phase-7): Four accused— 50-year-old Yusuf Malik, his 22-year-old son Mehboob, Shakir, and Shahrukh (both residents of Ghaziabad)—were arrested. From their possession, 440 kg of fake ghee in 28 tins, chemicals, gas cylinders, and stoves were seized.
Third Raid (Old Mustafabad): In the third raid, 665 kg of counterfeit ghee in 44 tins, along with chemicals and gas cylinders, were recovered. The sixth accused, Jamaluddin, was also apprehended in connection with the operations.
Modus Operandi And Profit Margin
During interrogation, the accused revealed their method of operation. They would buy Dalda (vanaspati ghee) and cheap refined oil in bulk, heat and mix them, and add chemical flavouring agents, synthetic colours, and other unsafe substances to make the mixture resemble pure desi ghee in taste, aroma, and colour.
They would then pack the adulterated product in tins and packets resembling genuine brands and supply it to dairies and shops. The accused admitted they had made special preparations for the festive season. The production cost for this process was approximately Rs 1,300- Rs 1,400 per tin, which they would sell in the market for a massive profit at Rs 3,500- Rs 4,000 per tin.
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Details From Interrogation
The investigation revealed that some of the accused were repeat offenders. Yusuf Malik had been arrested in a similar case in Sarai Rohilla 3-4 years ago and restarted the illegal business after his release, with his son Mehboob assisting him. The other accused were involved in different parts of the operation, from production to transportation and acting as links between manufacturers and buyers.
A case has been registered against all six accused at the Crime Branch police station under relevant sections of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. Police stated that further action will be taken based on information gathered about the buyers who purchased the adulterated goods.