28 May,2026 07:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Thane FDA cracks down on banned gutkha (File pic)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized suspicious items, including edible oil, toddy, ghee and gutkha, worth almost Rs 12 lakh in Thane district, leading to the arrest of six persons, an official said on Thursday.
As reported by PTI, the special operation was conducted on May 27 under the guidance of FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, he added.
An official statement further said, "During the inspections of various food establishments, FDA officials seized suspicious stock totalling Rs 7,30,150. This includes edible oil worth Rs 1,49,724, farsan worth Rs 93,830, ghee worth Rs 2,06,800, and hakka noodles valued at Rs 8,190. Additionally, toddy worth Rs 17,100, sherbet worth Rs 54,096, and gum arabic worth Rs 1,97,640 were confiscated due to regulatory violations," as cited by PTI.
FDA Joint Commissioner Parag Nalawade stated, "Six persons were arrested for possessing and selling banned food items like pan masala and gutkha."
The officials further briefed that contraband stock worth Rs 4,53,344 was recovered from their possession. The authority urged citizens to report sub-standard food quality or malpractices by contacting the FDA toll-free number (1800222365) or by filing a formal complaint with the Joint Commissioner's Office at Wagle Estate in Thane.
Three persons, including two siblings, were arrested on Thursday for allegedly beating a 38-year-old tempo driver to death following a dispute over a minor road accident in Maharashtra's Thane district, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police.
Later that day, Tawre and two others allegedly went to the victim's house and repeatedly kicked him.
During the attack, Dhamanaskar sustained severe injuries and later succumbed, police said.
Apart from Tawre, the police have identified his brother Vedant (18) and their associate Dheeraj Dagdu Mhatre (24) as the other accused.
All three accused were arrested in the early hours of Thursday. A probe into the murder case is underway, police added.
The incident took place on May 22 near a local school in Dhavle village under the jurisdiction of Shil-Daighar police station.
According to the complaint filed by victim Ketan Dhamanaskar's wife, the tempo driven by him had accidentally brushed against a scooter belonging to 21-year-old Jitesh Tukaram Tawre.
