The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), on Tuesday, said it had initiated preliminary inquiry against the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), following a case filed for alleged non-delivery of black pepper.
“We have received the complaint against NCDEX and begun preliminary inquiry against the exchange for mineral oil content in black pepper and pending contract,” EOW Additional Commissioner of Police Rajvardhan Sinha told reporters here.
Kalmirch Vyapari Association (KVA) Vice-President Vinit Chopda told PTI that the organisation lodged a complaint against NCDEX with EOW, 8-10 days ago for non-delivery of black pepper.
He alleged the NCDEX had stored in its accredited warehouses black pepper contaminated with mineral oil and burnt diesel oil. “The adulteration had been confirmed by the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India — FSSAI in Kerala,” he claimed.
In its response against the complaint, NCDEX said it had so far not received any query or correspondence from any police authority.
“It appears that the complaint has been filed by Kalimirch Vyapari Association (KVA) comprising several entities. “The FSSA has sealed stocks deposited in the exchange approved warehouses in response to a complaint filed by Betul Oil for alleged contamination. The order of the Food Safety Commissioner has been stayed by the Kerala High Court and the matter is sub-judice,” NCDEX said in a statement.
