In a massive crackdown on fake food syndicates operating across local eateries, the Delhi police have arrested at least 24 people. To ensure the accused face the full force of the law, investigators are invoking stringent charges that will make securing bail significantly more difficult. Previously, operations involving the production of adulterated or expired food items were primarily prosecuted under the lighter regulations of the Copyright Act. However, authorities are now pursuing severe, non-bailable charges, including fraud, criminal conspiracy, and violations under the Food Safety Act that carry penalties up to life imprisonment.

Earlier, these cases involving the production of adulterated, fake, and expired food items were prosecuted under the Copyright Act. The Delhi police are now pursuing non-bailable charges against the accused, which include fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Since December, the Delhi police have busted more than 15 major syndicates in a series of crackdowns in the city. The gangs were involved in various activities, from manufacturing counterfeit goods within warehouses to changing expiry dates of products.

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With the previous charges, the accused were easily granted bail from the lockup; however, the rigid charges against them are making it difficult to obtain bail from the courts.

What Did Cops Say?

According to a police official, selling fake and expired food items as consumable food is a crime that carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a heavy fine. Falsifying documents or wrappers, such as erasing the date on a brand's wrapper with chemicals and printing a new date, is considered serious counterfeiting.

Under the new charges, co-accused face the same punishment as the main offender.

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Strict sections of the Food Safety Act are also being invoked for endangering public health, which carry penalties of up to life imprisonment. This police crackdown will prove to be a milestone in curbing adulteration durin