Mumbai police arrest man with gutkha worth Rs 4.7 lakh

Tanveer Alam Wahajuddin Shaikh (in hood) with the seized gutkha. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Cracking down on those involved in the illegal storage and distribution of banned tobacco products, the Khar police arrested a man and seized gutkha worth Rs 4,70,082 lakh. The operation was carried out based on a complaint filed by Food Safety Officer Ananya Suyog Rege, following a tip-off from an informant. According to police officers, the accused, Tanveer Alam Wahajuddin Shaikh - a resident of Khar West - was found to be in possession of a large quantity of gutkha, a tobacco-based product known for its hazardous effects on health.

The raid was conducted around 12 pm on Friday (July 11), at Chinaiwadi, near National College in Khar West, under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sanjiv Dhumal and Inspector Vaibhav Katkar. The police team included PSI Hanmant Kumbhare (investigating officer), and Police Constables Dinesh Shirke, Kundan Kadam, Sumit Ahivale, Mahesh Lahamge and Manoj Handge.

The raid was carried out in coordination with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, and the warehouse storing the contraband has been sealed. The confiscated goods will be used as evidence in ongoing legal proceedings. Officials said that the seized items are considered extremely harmful to human health and could lead to severe consequences, including genetic damage to future generations, according to studies. A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as relevant provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.