SOG Ahmedabad seizes govt wheat worth ₹3.3 lakh diverted to private company

In a crackdown on the illegal diversion of government food grains, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ahmedabad City Police, in coordination with Assistant Food Controller (AFC) officers, intercepted a suspicious goods carrier vehicle loaded with 11,820 kilograms of wheat meant for distribution under the National Food Security Scheme. The seizure, valued at ₹3.30 lakh, has led to the arrest of one person, while further investigation is underway against the proprietors of Satnam Enterprise, GIDC Naroda.

According to officials, in the early hours of July 19, at approximately 12.30 am, a patrolling team of the SOG noticed a suspicious goods vehicle parked near the Arbhar Health Centre, close to Ganpati Mandir in Naroda. The driver, later identified as Jessabhai Ratabhai Damor, a 32-year-old resident of Naroda, failed to produce valid documentation to account for the substantial quantity of wheat loaded in his vehicle.

Upon further examination and verification with the Assistant Food Control officers, it was confirmed that the wheat was government-procured and meant for public distribution under the National Food Security Act. The grains, packed in 197 sacks and weighing over 11 tonnes, were allegedly being redirected for private gain.

Officials seized the entire consignment, along with the vehicle, the driver’s licence, transport documentation, and an invoice linking the load to Satnam Enterprise, located in GIDC Naroda. The GST and invoice details point to a commercial transaction with Shri Bhagwati Flour Mills Pvt Ltd, also based in Naroda.

The accused driver, Jessabhai Damor, reportedly admitted during questioning that he had been employed by Babubhai Mansuri, a transporter with four similar goods vehicles. Damor claimed he was following Mansuri’s instructions to deliver the consignment to Satnam Enterprise. However, he stated that he was unaware that the wheat was government relief stock.

Samples of the wheat were collected and sealed by AFC officers under a panchnama in the presence of independent witnesses. A total of four sealed containers were marked and allocated for legal proceedings, with the full load and documentation taken into official custody.

A complaint was filed regarding the matter with the SOG High Branch, under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and diversion of government property.

Authorities have assured a thorough investigation and strict action against all those involved in the illicit trade of public food resources. Further raids are likely as the probe expands to cover the operations of Satnam Enterprise and its dealings with third-party suppliers and transporters.