Police seize counterfeit Nike, Asics shoes worth ₹1.69 lakh from South Bopal shop

The Bopal Police Station has registered a case against a trader for allegedly selling counterfeit branded footwear from a shop in the South Bopal area of Ahmedabad, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, a raid conducted at a shop identified as ‘ESSENTIALS’ located at Shop No. 1, Elegance Enclave Complex in Ghuma, led to the seizure of 169 pairs of duplicate shoes bearing reputed international brand names including Nike, Asics, On Cloud, Jordan and Converse.

The complaint was filed by Deepakram Rampritram, 28, a resident of Noida, who works as a field officer with a trademark and copyright enforcement agency authorised to take legal action against counterfeit goods across India.

In his complaint, he stated that his agency had received confidential information suggesting that duplicate branded footwear was being sold illegally at certain shops in Ahmedabad. Acting on the tip-off, the complainant and his team conducted a preliminary verification and found that the South Bopal shop was allegedly dealing in counterfeit products.

Police said the complainant approached Bopal Police Station with relevant authorisation documents before a raiding team comprising company representatives, panch witnesses and police personnel was formed.

During the raid conducted between 3.30 pm and 4 pm, officers allegedly found large quantities of duplicate branded footwear displayed for sale at the shop. The person present at the premises identified himself as Rushil, son of Sushil Kumar Bhowmotra, originally from Rajasthan and currently residing in the Sanand area of Ahmedabad district.

According to police officials, they recovered 139 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes valued at ₹1.39 lakh and 30 pairs of duplicate Asics shoes worth ₹30,000. The total value of the seized footwear was estimated at ₹1.69 lakh.

Investigators said the products were prima facie found to be counterfeit versions of internationally recognised brands and were allegedly being sold for financial gain without authorisation from the trademark holders.

Based on the complaint, police have registered offences under Sections of the Copyright Act, 1957. The seized goods have been taken into custody.

Police officials said statements of company representatives, witnesses and the accused would be recorded as part of the probe.