Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force Central zone team arrested a 39-year-old man for making and selling adulterated chilli powder in Osmangunj. The police seized 35 kg of adulterated chilli powder, 30 kg of low-quality dry red chilli, 900 fake Swastik brand empty packing sachets, and other materials worth Rs 4 lakh.
The accused, identified as Rooparam Khatri, also known as Rupesh, is originally from Rajasthan. He was involved in illegally mixing toxic red colours and oil with the chilli powder to make it appear of higher quality.
Rupesh was packing this harmful mixture in fake Swastik brand sachets and selling it in the market. By doing so, he violated the Copyright Act and put people’s health at serious risk. He was making easy profits by passing off the fake product as genuine.
The police revealed that Rupesh had set up a chilli powder-making flour mill at his residence in Risala Abdullah, Osmangunj. He also installed machinery for packing and sealing the sachets. He bought low-quality dry red chilli at cheap prices and fake Swastik brand sachets from a local agent.
Based on a tip-off, the Commissioner’s task force raided the location and arrested Rupesh. He has been handed over to the Afzalgunj police for further investigation.