Ahmedabad SOG Seizes 6,900 Suspected Counterfeit Gold Flake Cigarette Packets Worth ₹8.62 Lakh; Shop Owner Arrested
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Cigarettes seized from two shops in Maninagar and Kalupur; ITC representative reportedly said product identification numbers could not be verified through the company’s software.
The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has seized 6,900 packets of allegedly counterfeit Gold Flake cigarettes, collectively valued at ₹8.62 lakh, from two shops in Maninagar and Kalupur. A 66-year-old shop owner has been arrested in connection with the case, while police are investigating the alleged supplier.
According to the complaint, the action followed a complaint filed by Darshak Parekh, 47, proprietor of Parekh International Adult Services Company, who claimed to be authorised by ITC Limited to initiate action against counterfeit products infringing the company’s trademark and copyright.
SOG Raids Maninagar Shop, Seizes 3,550 Packets
Acting on a tip-off that counterfeit ITC products were being sold at Mahesh General Stores in Sindhi Market, Maninagar, an SOG team conducted a search on October 9. The team was accompanied by the complainant, a company representative and two panch witnesses.
The shop owner was identified as Sobhraj Jethanand Kevalani, a resident of Maninagar East. During the search, the team allegedly recovered 3,550 packets of Gold Flake Honey Dew Premium cigarettes, packed in 71 cartons containing 50 packets each.
With each packet valued at ₹125, the seized stock was estimated to be worth ₹4.43 lakh.
Another 3,350 Packets Found at Kalupur Shop
During questioning, Kevalani allegedly told investigators that he had stored additional cigarette stock at Dev Traders, a shop in Kalupur’s Pan Market that also belonged to him.
An SOG team subsequently searched the premises and recovered another 3,350 packets of the same brand, valued at ₹4.18 lakh.
The combined seizure from both shops amounted to 6,900 packets, with an estimated total value of ₹8.62 lakh.
Product Identification Numbers Could Not Be Verified
Investigators submitted the product identification numbers printed on the cigarette packaging to Apurva Dave, an ITC regional representative. According to the complaint, the numbers could not be verified through the company’s software, indicating that the products had allegedly not been manufactured by ITC.
Police Probe Alleged Supplier’s Role
During questioning, Kevalani allegedly told police that he had procured the cigarettes from a person identified only as Nikunjbhai, who contacted him through WhatsApp and supplied stock against orders.
He reportedly said the consignment had been delivered to his Maninagar shop around one-and-a-half months earlier. However, he allegedly did not know the supplier’s full name or address.
A 33-year-old worker at Dev Traders, identified as Tufan Tulsiram Ahari, was also questioned during the search. Police said the cigarette stock recovered from both premises had not yet been sold.
The SOG has registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957. Further investigation is under way to trace the alleged supplier and establish the source of the suspected counterfeit cigarettes.
