Pune: FDA Seizes Banned Gutkha And Tobacco Products Worth ₹26.93 Lakh In Pimpri-Chinchwad Raid
Pune: FDA Seizes Banned Gutkha And Tobacco Products Worth ₹26.93 Lakh In Pimpri-Chinchwad Raid
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune, June 25, 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune Division, has seized banned food products worth ₹26.93 lakh during a major crackdown in the Chikhli area of Pimpri-Chinchwad. The action was carried out as part of the Maharashtra government’s ongoing drive against the illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of prohibited food products.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, FDA officials conducted a search operation on June 24 at a temporary tin-shed structure comprising three rooms in the Bagh Vasti area of Chikhli. During the inspection, officials discovered a large stockpile of banned products, including gutkha, pan masala, flavored tobacco, flavored supari, and similar prohibited items allegedly stored for distribution and sale.
The seized stock, valued at ₹26,93,546, was confiscated by the authorities. Representative samples of the products have been collected for laboratory analysis, while the remaining stock has been taken into custody for further legal action. To prevent any resale or reuse of the seized goods, the rooms where the products were stored have been sealed.
According to preliminary investigations, the names of several individuals have surfaced in connection with the illegal stock and business operations. The suspected persons include Devaram Devasi, Ranapratap Singh, Rustam Khan, Babar Khan, and an alleged supplier identified as Gaus Mohiuddin Kamalsha, also known as Bababhai. Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation into their roles, the supply chain, transport network, manufacturers, financial beneficiaries, and other persons linked to the operation.
The process of registering an FIR at Chikhli Police Station is underway. Further action will be taken under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, relevant rules and regulations, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Officials stated that given the large quantity of banned products seized and the suspected involvement of multiple individuals, investigators will also examine whether the operation was part of an organized and recurring criminal network. If evidence satisfies the legal requirements, authorities may consider invoking provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, against the accused and any organized syndicate involved.
The FDA reiterated that the production, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, flavored tobacco, pan masala, flavored supari, and similar products remain prohibited in Maharashtra in the interest of public health.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Joint Commissioner (Food), Pune Division, Digambar Bhogawade, and in the presence of Assistant Commissioner (Food) Syed Imran Hashmi. Food Safety Officer Afnan Sheikh led the raid, with support from Food Safety Officers Santosh Sawant, Swati Maske, Sayali Patwardhan, and Sheetal Ghatol.
