During the hearing, Justice G.S. Ahluwalia of the single bench remarked that adulterated milk poses a serious threat to infants, the elderly, and the general public. He stressed that strict administrative and legal action is necessary in such cases to ensure food safety standards are not compromised.
The matter dates back to 2019, when the Food Safety Department registered an FIR on suspicion that artificial milk was being prepared using palm oil. Officials conducted a search at a house in the Kailaras area of Morena district and recovered 153 sealed tins of refined palm oil from the basement. The individual concerned claimed that the basement had been rented out and that he had no connection with any dairy business. However, investigators did not find any rent agreement or purchase documents during the probe.
After testing, the samples were declared substandard, following which the adjudicating officer imposed a fine of âš2 lakh each on two persons. In May 2024, the tribunal quashed that order, stating that the samples were not tested within the prescribed time, no sample was taken from any dairy unit, and intent to adulterate was not established.
The High Court found these grounds insufficient and held that the available circumstantial evidence required proper evaluation. It directed that during the fresh hearing, authorities must determine how the palm oil was being used, whether the individual was engaged in a legitimate business, whether the Gram Panchayat NOC amounted to valid building permission, and whether the basement could legally be used for commercial storage.
The court also ordered verification of the authenticity of the alleged rent agreement. All parties have been directed to appear before the adjudicating authority on March 23, 2026. Legal experts say the ruling signals a strict judicial approach toward cases involving adulterated food products and underscores the need for investigating agencies to collect stronger evidence.
