Raids show major inter-state rackets are steadily pushing adulterated sweets into city markets for Diwali. To throw the book at them, MiD DAY makes a case for these 'organised crime syndicates' to be tried for criminal conspiracy
Raids show major inter-state rackets are steadily pushing adulterated sweets into city markets for Diwali. To throw the book at them, MiD DAY makes a case for these 'organised crime syndicates' to be tried for criminal conspiracy
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The 'sweet criminals' are on the prowl, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the police are on their toes to catch them. These adulteration rackets are no less than organised crime syndicates, and the big question here is why should they not be tried under charges of criminal conspiracy?
Pressing criminal conspiracy charges opens the doors to try these racketeers for criminal offences along with the specialised law used by the FDA, a combination that proves much more effective in dealing with organised adulteration gangs, especially the big, inter-state ones.
The FDA recently busted a racket and seized 3,200 kg of adulterated khoya worth Rs 3.07 lakh. It had been transported to the city in four private luxury buses, and a big inter-state racket is believed to be involved in it.
A week before, FDA officials seized large consignments of khoya in several parts of the state.
Cops ready for IPC
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Prabhakar Patil said it was possible to use the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against gangs indulging in adulteration as an organised crime.
"If any organised crime activity is observed, a gang can be booked under different sections of the IPC, besides the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act," Patil said. "Criminal cases should be lodged against such gangs to deter malpractices in future."
A police officer who recently was instrumental in seizing adulterated food products said if criminal conspiracy charges are slapped in such cases the punishment ranges from six months to a year of imprisonment and a fine.
IPC and special act
Mohan Kembalkar, commissioner of FDA, Pune, said they did try to invoke various IPC sections by involving the police while slapping charges against organised racketeers.
"Specialised acts as well as sections of the IPC are applied against the suspects to ensure that they get maximum punishment from the court of law," Kembalkar said. "IPC sections are especially useful in cases where the suspects are absconding or they don't have valid documents like licences or insurance, which amounts to an independent offence."
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