Pant Nagar police carried out a major action against the illegal transportation of banned tobacco products in Ghatkopar East, seizing gutkha worth over Rs 12 lakh. A case was registered against Sudhirkumar Vishnu Ram, 42, resident of Kamlesh Nagar slum area in Mira Road, Thane. The complaint was lodged by Manisha Shivaji Gunjal, 31, Food Safety Officer with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mumbai, whose jurisdiction covers N Ward of Ghatkopar East. On May 6 at around 10 am, PSI Ravindra Gaikwad received information about a tempo carrying banned gutkha on the Ghatkopar-Andheri Link Road and intercepted the vehicle immediately.
Following the interception, police seized the tempo bearing registration number MH-47-AS-8404 and brought it to Pant Nagar police station, where it was sealed. The driver, identified as Sudhirkumar Ram, was taken into custody. Later, FDA officer Manisha Gunjal, along with her team, reached the police station to inspect the seized stock. Authorities recovered banned tobacco products valued at Rs 12,01,404, including scented tobacco, Vimal pan masala, Vimal kesar pan masala and other prohibited gutkha items. All goods were found inside the vehicle. Police completed formal seizure proceedings and documented the consignment in the presence of FDA officials.
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Authorities stated that the sale, manufacture, storage, transportation and distribution of gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco are strictly prohibited in Maharashtra. Preliminary probe revealed violation of government notifications enforcing the ban. During interrogation, the accused failed to provide details about the source or purchase of the seized stock. FDA officials collected four pouch samples from each product batch for informal laboratory analysis. Pant Nagar police registered an offence under Sections 26(2)(i), 26(2)(iv), 27(3)(e) read with Sections 3(1)(zz)(iii) and 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, along with Sections 123, 223, 274 and 275 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway.