2 godowns sealed, 3 persons arrested
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 09 2014: A large quantity of adulterated edible oil and Betal nut worth nearly Rs 60 lakhs were seized from a non-local trader by Food Safety officials at Mantripukhri in Imphal West district on Monday.

Based on specific information, an official team led by Food Safety Officer of Imphal East Y Sheityajit and Food Safety Officer of Churachandpur Th Sunilkumar raided two godowns located near IGAR (S) complex at Mantripukhri and owned by a non-local trader around midday.

In one of the raided godowns, a huge quantity of adulterated edible oil of five different brands whose expiry dates were already running out was found.

The monetary worth of the seized edible oil will be around Rs 30 lakh, the Food Safety officials said.

adulterated edible oil

The team later seized the Betal nuts, also worth nearly Rs 30 lakh from the other godown located within the same complex.

It has been confirmed that the seized Betal nut was used in making different Pan Masala items.

The non-local trader who owns both the godowns has been identified as Molchand Pawar (52), proprietor of Ajay Trader, Thangal bazaar here.

He is a native of Rajasthan's Chikkar.

The adulterated edible oil reportedly brought in here from outside was found leaked on the floor of the godown and the men working inside the godown accumulating the oil into new tins with mugs after gathering with the help of wipers.

The seized oil items included Ruchi Gold, Neeraj, Tagore, Sher and Shiva brands.

Three oil hawkers were also arrested by the Food Safety team during the raid.

They have been identified as Narendra Sharma (75) from Kalapahar in Senapati district, Mukhesh Sharma (24) from Thangal bazaar and Shaktilal (33) from Major Khul, Imphal.

Later on, the Food Safety team went to Thangal bazaar to carry out another raid at Ajay Trader.

But the shop was found closed.

They were told by some traders who were present there that Molchand was in Rajasthan as he was sick.

Food Safety officers Sheityajit and Sunilkumar said Molchand and the three hawkers are liable to be fined upto Rs 10 lakh for dealing and selling adulterated food under the Consumer Protection Act, and that they can be sent to jail for life with the help of law court.

They also said legal action will be taken up against the three hawkers.

Meanwhile, the two godowns have been sealed and the arrested three hawkers handed over to the police.