Delhi Police unearth adultrated desi ghee nexus, bust 3 units

In a major action as the festive season picks pace, the Central Range of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted three illegal units involved in manufacturing adulterated desi ghee in North-East Delhi.

The operation led to the seizure of 1,625 kg of adulterated ghee and the arrest of six persons. The arrested accused have been identified as Safiq, Yusuf Malik, Mehboob, Shakir, Sharukh and Zamaluddin. The police said Yusuf was a repeat offender who had been arrested earlier in a similar case.

The crackdown was carried out following intelligence inputs about large-scale adulteration aimed at exploiting the increased demand during Dasehra and Diwali.

The police said the action was taken to safeguard public health and prevent spurious products from entering the market.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vikram Singh, raids were conducted at Shiv Vihar, Karawal Nagar and Old Mustafabad. In the first raid, one accused, Safiq (30), was arrested with 520 kg of adulterated ghee.

In the second raid, four accused — Yusuf Malik (50), his son Mehboob (22), Shakir, and Sharukh, both from Ghaziabad — were apprehended with 440 kg of adulterated ghee along with gas cylinders, stoves and other equipment, the DCP added.

In the third raid, Zamaluddin (40) was arrested, and 665 kg of duplicate ghee was seized, he said.

The police said the accused were producing adulterated desi ghee by mixing vanaspati and low-quality refined oil with chemical-based agents to imitate pure ghee.

The product was then packed in tins resembling genuine brands and supplied to dairies and shops. The accused revealed that the production cost was about Rs 1,300–1,400 per tin, which was sold in the market at Rs 3,500–4,000 per tin, Singh said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act. Further investigation is underway to trace the wider supply network, the cop added.