Adulterated pulses seized in Karimnagar, spices in Khammam

Police ask people to report to them illegal practices they come across

Commissioner of Police VB Kamalasan Reddy during a raid conducted by Task Force Police in Karimnagar town on Tuesday. Photo: Special Arrangement

The Commissioner’s Task Force personnel on Tuesday raided a godown in the city and seized a huge quantity of adulterated pulses worth ₹5 lakh and arrested a person.

On information, the Task Force personnel raided the Tirumala Traders godown located at Housing Board colony and arrested its owner, Peddi Praveen, and seized adulterated green gram and Bengal gram stored in 199 bags. The seized pulses would be sent for laboratory examination. The accused person was procuring adulterated pulses from Jaipur in Rajasthan and supplying the same to kirana shops and others in Karimnagar town.

Commissioner of Police VB Kamalasan Reddy visited the spot and appreciated the Task force police. On this occasion, the Commissioner of Police warned the persons involved in adulteration of food commodities of criminal cases and if continued frequently they would even register PD Act.

He called upon the people to inform the police if they notice any adulteration of food commodities in the district. Food inspector Amruthasri, Karimnagar one town inspector T Srinivas Rao, Task Force sub-inspectors Kiran and Santosh and their team were also present.

Khammam Special Correspondent writes:

The Police Commissioner's task force on Tuesday seized a large quantity of packets containing “adulterated” spices powder and “substandard” vermicelli, among other adulterated products, from a godown at Pumping Well Road in the three-town area here.

The seizure of the adulterated spices powder and vermicelli packed in attractive packets came close on the heels of the busting of rackets in adulteration of garlic paste and other powdered food products, considered essential ingredients in traditional recipes.

The district had earned the dubious distinction of being a safe haven for organised gangs involved in illegal trade of adulterated chilli powder in the past.

The Police Commissioner’s Task Force had unearthed cricket betting, toddy manufacturing, illegal rice and sand smuggling rackets in Khammam and elsewhere in the division ever since the special team was constituted in May this year.

The sleuths handed over the seized material, including baking soda, to the three-town police for investigation.