Police have arrested two men for allegedly selling counterfeit cigarettes of a premium brand at Indira Market in Durg, Chhattisgarh. The action was taken at SSD Traders under the City Kotwali police station limits.

Police seized 18,000 counterfeit cigarettes along with packaging material allegedly used to imitate the original brand. The total value of the seized cigarettes has been estimated at around ₹2.07 lakh.

Complaint Led to Police Action

According to police, an authorised representative of the company approached the City Kotwali police station on August 11 and lodged a complaint.

The complainant, who works as a field officer for the company, told police that he was authorised to initiate action against people involved in manufacturing or selling counterfeit versions of the company’s products.

He reportedly received information that fake cigarettes carrying the company’s branding were being sold at SSD Traders in Indira Market.

18,000 Fake Cigarettes Seized

Following the complaint, a police team reached the shop and conducted a search.

During the operation, police allegedly found a large quantity of cigarettes manufactured and packed using the company’s name and branding.

A total of 18,000 cigarettes were seized.

The seized stock included 24 bundles containing 12,000 cigarettes and another 12 bundles containing 6,000 cigarettes.

Police also seized material allegedly used for packaging the counterfeit products.

Packaging Allegedly Imitated Original Brand

Police said some of the packets carried an MRP of ₹115 along with a QR number.

According to investigators, the packaging of both varieties used the company's name and identifying marks, allegedly making the products appear similar to genuine cigarettes.

Police suspect the accused were using the brand name and packaging to sell counterfeit products for financial gain.

Two Men Arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as Vishal Jaswani, 36, a resident of Gurunanak Nagar, Satya Bakery Gali, Durg, and Nikhil Sihani, 29, a resident of Sadani Nagar, Sindhi Colony, Durg.

Police said both men are residents of the Mohan Nagar police station area.

Following their arrest, the accused were produced before the court and sent to judicial remand.

Case Registered Under BNS, Copyright Act

City Kotwali police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957.

The investigation is now focused on identifying the source of the counterfeit cigarettes and determining whether the products were being supplied to other shops in Durg.

Supply Network Under Scanner

Police are also investigating whether the two arrested men were manufacturing the counterfeit products themselves or obtaining them from another supplier.

Investigators are trying to determine where the fake cigarettes were sourced, how they reached SSD Traders and whether additional people were involved in the alleged counterfeit supply network.

Police are also examining whether the seized stock was intended for distribution to other retail outlets in the city.

The investigation is continuing.