The Commissioner’s Task Force, Golconda Zone, along with Asif Nagar Police, has reportedly busted an alleged illegal pan masala, gutkha and tobacco manufacturing unit operating at Muradnagar in Asif Nagar, Hyderabad.
Police said three workers were apprehended and two children in conflict with law (CCLs) were rescued during the raid. A large quantity of raw tobacco and gutkha material, packing covers and machinery were seized. The total value of the seized property was estimated at ₹50 lakh, according to the police.
Raid at Muradnagar premises
Acting on credible information, the Commissioner’s Task Force, Golconda Zone, and Asif Nagar Police raided a premises near Choti Masjid, Muradnagar, Asif Nagar.
According to police, the premises was allegedly being used for manufacturing and packing unbranded AAA, Badshah and Sagar pan masala/gutkha/tobacco products without the required licences and statutory details.
Police said the products were allegedly being manufactured for sale in Hyderabad.
Three workers apprehended, two children rescued
Police apprehended three workers during the operation. Two children were also found at the premises and were rescued.
The three workers were identified by police as:
- Rohit Kumar @ Rohit Yadav, 25, labourer
- Saurabh @ Saurabh Chowhan, 20, labourer
- Matadeen @ Rahul Permer, 21, labourer
Police said two other persons were identified as children in conflict with law.
The alleged manufacturers, Zubair and Muzzaffer @ Dada, were reported to be absconding. Police identified Muzzaffer @ Dada as the alleged owner of the premises and said both were allegedly involved in the manufacturing activity.
Large quantity of material and machinery seized
According to the police, the following material and equipment were seized:
- Unapproved AAA pan masala packets
- AAA pan masala packets containing sachets
- Loose zarda/tobacco
- Raw materials including katha, supari and chunna
- Ready-mixed gutka
- Multiple packing rolls carrying different brand names
- Sagar paper rolls and sachets
- Three gutka packing machines
- One gutka mixer machine
- One gutka oven machine
- One supari cutting machine
- Weighing machines
- Sealing machine
- Bag sewing machine
Police estimated the total value of the seized property at ₹50 lakh.
Police allege violations in product labelling
According to the police, the packets allegedly did not contain mandatory information such as manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, MRP, ingredients and statutory warnings.
Police further alleged that the unit was operating without valid FSSAI, GST and tobacco-related licences.
These are allegations contained in the police case and will be subject to investigation and further legal proceedings.
Child labour allegations
Police said two children were found at the alleged manufacturing premises and were rescued.
The case includes provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.
Case registered
A case has been registered at Asif Nagar Police Station in Crime No. 310/2026 under:
- Sections 272 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 20(2) of the COTPA
- Sections 3 read with 14 of the Child Labour Act
Police said further investigation is underway.
Police operation
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Inspector M. Mahesh, Task Force, Golconda Zone, and Inspector N. Anand, Asif Nagar Police Station, along with Sub-Inspectors K. Venkatraman and N. Naveen and other staff members of the Task Force and Asif Nagar Police.
Police said efforts are underway to trace the two alleged main accused, Zubair and Muzzaffer @ Dada.
