Bengaluru Police Bust Massive Fake Nandini Ghee Racket Worth Rs 1.26 Crore; Multi-State Network Exposed

A major fake Nandini ghee racket was busted in Bengaluru city by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Saturday, November 15, discovering large-scale adulteration involving thousands of litres of fake ghee packed in counterfeit Nandini-branded sachets and bottles.

The Bengaluru City Police confirmed the arrest of four accused, exposing a network that was secretly manufacturing adulterated ghee in Tamil Nadu and distributing it across the city.

According to police, the gang prepared low-quality adulterated ghee by mixing coconut oil, palm oil, and other substances in illegal units based in Tamil Nadu. The products were then packed into fake Nandini ghee sachets and plastic bottles, very similar to the original branding of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), and sold across Bengaluru through local retailers.

In a PTI report, a statement from the office of Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh revealed the scale of the criminal network:

The police said that 8,136 litres of adulterated ghee with coconut and palm oil. Along with this machinery, packaging tools used for manufacturing fake ghee were also found. Four goods vehicles used for interstate transport and Rs 1.19 lakh in cash were also seized. The total value of the seized items was a whopping Rs 1.27 crore.

Raids Based on Intelligence Inputs

As reported by Deccan Herald, the breakthrough came after the CCB Special Investigation Squad and the KMF Vigilance Wing received discreet intelligence inputs. Acting swiftly, joint teams conducted coordinated raids on November 14 at godowns, shops, and vehicles linked to Krishna Enterprises in Nanjamba Agrahara, Chamarajpet, allegedly operated by the main accused and his family members.

Police Continue Deeper Investigation

The Bengaluru Police have intensified their investigation to find out the retailers and distribution points that sold the fake Nandini ghee. Authorities are also trying to find out whether the racket extends to other districts and whether more people were involved in the production network in Tamil Nadu.

KMF, which produces Nandini products, has supported the investigation and requested consumers to purchase Nandini products only from authorised outlets to avoid buying fake products.