HYDERABAD: For the first time, Hyderabad police have invoked Section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (attempt to commit culpable homicide) in a food adulteration case after seizing more than 25 tonnes of adulterated spices allegedly mixed with hazardous chemicals during raids across the city.
Three persons — Rahul Bhati, Vishal Panwar and Dulichand Kachhawar, all residents of the city — were arrested following the operation conducted by the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST).
Addressing a press conference, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said H-FAST carried out a special drive targeting establishments involved in procuring, processing and trading spices. Officials inspected 13 establishments and seized about 25 tonnes of adulterated spices containing hazardous chemicals and other harmful substances.
Police have registered three criminal cases against the accused.
North Zone Joint Commissioner of Police SM Vijay Kumar said Section 110 was invoked because the case involved more than routine food adulteration.
“The accused knowingly mixed hazardous substances into food products despite being aware of the consequences. Consumption of such products could result in serious health complications, including cancer, making the offence far graver than ordinary adulteration,” he said.
H-FAST’s clean-up act over 140 days
Earlier, food adulteration cases were generally registered under Sections 274 and 275 of the BNS relating to adulteration and sale of noxious food or drink, Section 318(4) dealing with cheating, along with relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Section 110 carries a punishment of up to seven years’ imprisonment, or fine, or both.
Sajjanar said officials found widespread use of synthetic food colours, fabric dyes, industrial-grade colours, talcum powder and rice bran oil to alter the appearance and volume of spices.
In one unit, low-grade and rejected mustard stocks were allegedly mixed with fabric dye, talcum powder and oil to improve their appearance. In other establishments, cloves and shahjeera were coated with synthetic colours to give them a premium appearance, while industrial dyes were allegedly used to adulterate shahjeera, ajwain and other spices before sale.
Meanwhile, within 140 days of its formation, H-FAST, in coordination with GHMC and Food Safety officials, conducted 659 raids, registered 202 FIRs and seized nearly 246 tonnes of adulterated food. Another 232 cases were referred to Food Safety authorities for further action.
Among its major seizures were over 27 tonnes of adulterated ginger-garlic paste prepared using rotten produce and chemicals including titanium oxide and acetic acid, more than 12 tonnes of rotten chicken and mutton, about 60 tonnes of foul-smelling chicken waste, 25.8 tonnes of chemically ripened fruits, 9.2 tonnes of adulterated pickles and 3.8 tonnes of adulterated tea powder. T
he team also uncovered synthetic paneer manufactured using urea, detergents and palm oil, besides taking action against sub-standard RO water plants and units manufacturing ice creams, samosas and biscuits.