Status of raid or arrests in Hosahundi fake Nandini Ghee manufacturing unit unknown

Mysore/Mysuru: Officials of Departments of Agriculture and Police on Sunday raided an old poultry farm near Mandakalli village and seized more than 300 bags of adulterated fertiliser. The unit was located at Survey No. 5/2 on the outskirts of Mandakalli village. It is learnt that the adulterated fertiliser, which was being manufactured in this unit was being filled into bags of various fertiliser companies and was being sold to farmers.

Agriculture Department Joint Director Dr. B.S. Chandrashekar and Assistant Director Madhulatha, with Mysuru South Police, raided the unit but neither the owner of the unit nor workers were present during the raid.

Dr. Chandrashekar said that clay in the form of small granules was being coated with red oxide and a small quantity of genuine fertiliser was being mixed with a large quantity to produce the adulterated version. Later, the fertiliser was blended in a mixer which was then filled into bags branded after many companies and then stitched to make it look like a genuine fertiliser bag.

Bags of clay, a mixing unit, a weighing machine, a sewing machine and genuine fertiliser bags were found in the fake unit. Agriculture Department officials, who have seized the above items and also the empty poultry farm, have lodged a complaint at Mysuru South Police Station.

Officials said that preliminary investigations revealed that one Mahesh had taken the empty poultry farm on rent and was running the fertiliser manufacturing unit. Mahesh’s mobile phone number and Aadhaar Card number have been given to the Police in the complaint, the officials said.

Nanjangud case

Another adulterated fertiliser manufacturing unit was unearthed at Hirikati village on the Nanjangud-Gundlupet border             on June 22.

Agriculture Department officials from Mysuru and Nanjangud had jointly conducted a raid on the manufacturing unit during which a large quantity of spurious fertiliser was seized.

A case was registered at Nanjangud Rural Police Station.

Fake Nandini Ghee unit

It may be recalled that a fake Nandini Ghee manufacturing unit was operating in a godown on the outskirts of Hosahundi village at the foot of Chamundi Hill seven months ago. The raids created a storm and a major controversy.

Activists of a NGO had brought this to light on Dec. 16, 2021, following which Mysuru South Police and officials of MyMUL conducted a raid.

Based on the complaint from MyMUL officials, Mysuru South Police had registered a case. However, the status of the case, number of arrests and details of the investigation are unknown after the initial hype and claims.