Indore Police Bust Tata Salt Counterfeit Racket

Man packs cheap Siyaganj salt in branded pouches, sells locally; 1850 kg raw material seized in Aerodrome raid

Raid in Lok Nayak Nagar

Indore police arrested Jitendra Gupta on April 12 in Lok Nayak Nagar under Aerodrome police station limits. Officers caught him red-handed packing fake Tata salt. Sources indicated he sourced cheap loose salt from Siyaganj market and repackaged it in branded pouches for sale in nearby areas.

The operation ran for two months, fooling local buyers with precise mimicking of original packaging.

Seized Fake Packets Galore

Police raided the makeshift unit after a tip-off. They confiscated 840 packets of counterfeit Tata salt and 1850 kg of raw loose salt. Packing materials, including branded polythene and empty pouches, also fell into their hands.

Investigators recovered 980 empty packets, 32 gunny bags, weighing scales, packing and sewing machines, plus a digital balance.

Cheap Salt from Siyaganj

TI Tarun Singh Bhati confirmed Gupta procured open salt from Siyaganj market over the past two-three months. He filled it into Tata-branded pouches that looked identical to genuine ones. "The packaging was so accurate, consumers couldn't spot the difference," Bhati told reporters.

Gupta ran a calculated racket, buying low and selling high for quick profits.

Materials Sourced from Delhi

Probe revealed Gupta ordered branded cut-outs and polythene from Delhi suppliers. He set up a small factory in Lok Nayak Nagar to churn out fakes at scale. Police smashed the entire setup, halting operations instantly.

The seizure exposed a well-oiled supply chain feeding local markets.

Tata's Complaint Triggers Action

Tata Consumer Products Limited's technical expert lodged the FIR. This prompted Aerodrome police to swing into action four hours ago. "We acted on verified intelligence to protect public health," an officer said.

No prior complaints surfaced, but sources pointed to rising fake FMCG cases in Indore.

Health Risks for Consumers

Counterfeit salt poses serious threats, lacking iodisation and purity standards. Buyers in surrounding areas consumed substandard product unknowingly. Public health officials now monitor local sales to prevent wider spread.

Experts warn such rackets undermine trust in branded goods.

Legal Action Underway

Police booked Gupta under relevant IPC sections for cheating and trademark violation. He remains in custody as inquiries continue. Officials probe potential accomplices in Siyaganj and Delhi networks.

Further raids seem likely to dismantle the syndicate.

Future Crackdown Looms

Authorities plan stricter market checks in Indore's wholesale hubs like Siyaganj. Tata officials vow tougher vigilance on duplicates. This latest news today highlights risks in everyday buys, urging consumers to verify packs.