Nagpur News: The Rural Crime Branch of Nagpur Police unearthed a factory manufacturing bogus and toxic “Gutkha” (Mixture of tobacco, betelnut, and toxically scented material) in massive proportions in Khaparkheda. The consumption of “Gutkha” could prove unhealthy for human beings. Most criminally, the bogus “Gutkha” was being packed with the “Trademarks” of branded companies, and that too ban on the stuff enforced by Maharashtra Government. The Crime Branch has seized the stock of the toxic “Gutkha” worth Rs 25,00,000 and the machineries worth Rs 25,00,000 used in manufacturing the Gutkha. The collective worth of the seized material stands at Rs 50,00,000. The Crime Branch action triggered a sensation and panic in main market and across Khaparkheda. The three key accused are absconding. However, the owner of the shop, where the factory was set up, has been arrested.
The Crime Branch raid also badly exposed the role of local police as the illegal and extremely harmful “Gutkha” was being manufactured under the very of them. Similarly, the action by Crime Branch, totally found the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in deep slumber or deep and deliberate negligence for obvious reasons. The factory of toxic stuff was running since past many months in the main market of Khaparkheda still local police and the FDA did not take any action certainly raises eyebrows.
According to reports, the “Gutkha” was being manufactured on the second floor of the shop, Chaitanya Traders in the main market, owned by Jaindas Jain. The factory of “death” (poisonous Gutkha) was making the stuff and packing in the bogus pouches with Trademarks of branded and reputed companies like DH, RMD, Vimal, Rajashree, Dhanashree and others. The toxic stuff was being sold in rural areas of Nagpur District and in Madhya Pradesh. The three key accused, who were running factory in the rented second floor of Jain’s shop Chaitanya Traders, had agreed to pay Rs 15,000 per month as rent to Jain. The three criminals, Vijay Jethani, Jacky Jethani, both residents of Jaripatka, Nagpur and Raju Sachdev, resident of Kamptee, were running the factory.
The “Gutkha” was being prepared from various chemicals, powder of coconut covers, bogus and stale tobacco and other materials. Four labourers were engaged by the three accused for manufacturing and packing the fake and toxic stuff without giving a thought to after-effects by consumption of “Gutkha”. The Crime Branch, after the raid, immediately summoned the FDA authorities who in turn seized 80 packets “Blue Vimal” pouches, a whopping 23 sacks of “Vimal Gutkha” (red pouches), 220 kilograms of light magnesium carbonate, three boxes of DS Tobacco, each containing 50 pouches of the stuff, 11 sacks of Golden Kharra, 11 packets of “Rajashree Gutkha”, and other toxic material.
The FDA and Khaparkheda police have booked the three accused Vijay Jethani, Jacky Jethani, both residents of Jaripatka, Nagpur and Raju Sachdev, resident of Kamptee under various relevant Sections of the IPC and Food Safety Standards Act. The police have arrested the shop owner Jaindas Jain and have launched a massive hunt to nab the absconding accused.
