Over 5,000 litres of adulterated cooking oil seized in Gachibowli; expired wheat flour repackaged for sale

Hyderabad police seize over 5,000 litres of adulterated cooking oil and 5,000 kg of wheat flour in raids

Thousands of litres of adulterated cooking oil and wheat flour were seized during raids carried out by the Madhapur Special Operations Team (SOT) at two locations in Hyderabad on Monday (March 9, 2026).

The accused were identified as 46-year-old Bhanwar Ram, and his 22-year-old son Ashok Kumar, both natives of Rajasthan. According to the police, the father–son duo had been operating an adulteration racket from different premises in NTR Nagar and Vattinagulapally in Gachibowli.

During the raids which followed a tip-off, officials seized more than 5,000 litres of adulterated cooking oil, over 5,000 kilograms of wheat flour, a weighing machine, packaging material and other equipment. The total value of the seized material is estimated to be around ₹21 lakh.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused allegedly collected expired cooking oil of different brands and mixed it with soybean oil. The mixture was then repackaged and sold in the market under different brand names.

Police also found that expired wheat flour sourced from multiple companies was repackaged and relabelled as “Jasnath Gold Chakki Atta” before distribution for sale.

An official from the Gachibowli police said that Food Safety inspectors are expected to collect samples of the seized products and send them for laboratory testing. Based on the results, the accused will be formally booked and further investigation will be taken up.