Man held for manufacturing and selling counterfeit engine oil in Hyderabad

Man held for manufacturing and selling counterfeit engine oil in Hyderabad

A man was apprehended for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit engine oil, following a joint raid by the Commissioner’s Task Force (South Zone) and Mirchowk police.

The accused, identified as Shaik Qayyum, 32, a resident of Feelkhana in Begum Bazaar, was operating the illegal business from a rented godown at Noor Khan Bazaar.

During the raid, officials seized 710 litres of spurious engine oil, along with packaging material - including empty boxes, labels, caps, barcode stickers, a scanner, and other production equipment. The total worth of the seized goods is estimated at ₹3 lakh.

According to an officer from the Mirchowk police, Qayyum, who had previously worked as a motor mechanic and later as a labourer in an automobile shop, began manufacturing the fake lubricant oil about five months ago to supplement his income. “The high market demand for Castrol engine oil, priced at around ₹425 per bottle, prompted him to produce counterfeit oil and sell it at lower rates of ₹220 to local shops.

He allegedly procured barrels of generic lubricant, repackaged them with Castrol Active labels and branding and distributed them through local channels,” said the officer.

Based on a tip-off, authorities conducted a search of the premises, arrested Qayyum, and seized the counterfeit products and material.