The Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Wednesday arrested a husband–wife duo — Shivakumar and Ramya — believed to be the primary masterminds behind a large-scale fake Nandini ghee racket that operated across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The arrests come days after the police cracked a sprawling counterfeit supply chain that sought to exploit the reputation of the Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) popular Nandini brand.
The racket had raised widespread concerns about food safety and consumer protection, with officials noting that the operation involved industrial-level machinery, extensive logistics and a supply network capable of pushing large quantities of adulterated products into the market.
Advanced production unit discovered in Tamil Nadu
According to CCB officials, the arrested couple had established a fully equipped production facility in Tamil Nadu. Investigators described the unit as “advanced and industrial-scale,” fitted with heavy-duty machines designed for adulterating, blending and repackaging ghee.
The adulterated ghee was repackaged in containers closely resembling genuine Nandini packaging, making it extremely difficult for consumers and retailers to distinguish between real and fake products. Police said the level of sophistication indicated long-term planning and a deep understanding of supply chains.
During the raids, officials recovered multiple machines used for blending oils, sealing packets, printing labels and packing finished products. The seizure, police noted, demonstrated that the racket was capable of producing counterfeit ghee in large quantities at short notice.
Earlier arrests revealed wider supply chain
Before apprehending the alleged masterminds, CCB officers had arrested four individuals linked to the distribution network — including KMF distributor Mahendra, his son Deepak, and two associates identified as Muniraju and another accomplice.
Investigators said Mahendra, who held an authorised KMF distribution licence, played a crucial role by purchasing large stock of original Nandini ghee in Bengaluru and transporting it to Tiruppur district in Tamil Nadu. Once there, the ghee was diluted with palm oil, coconut oil and vanaspati-based substances. This adulteration significantly increased the output, with officials estimating that up to 4 litres of fake ghee were created for every 1 litre of genuine product.
The counterfeit product was then shipped back to Bengaluru, where it was supplied to Nandini booths, local supermarkets and kirana stores, allowing it to quietly infiltrate the retail chain.
Scam detected after supply inconsistencies
The racket came to light during internal KMF quality and supply checks, when officials noticed abnormal fluctuations in distribution volumes and inconsistencies between dispatched and received stock. The discrepancies triggered suspicion, prompting the KMF vigilance wing to monitor certain distributors more closely.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of CCB officials and KMF vigilance personnel raided multiple godowns, retail outlets and vehicles linked to Krishna Enterprises in Nanjamba Agrahara, Chamarajpet, on 14 November. The raids revealed storage of suspicious ghee packets, repackaged containers and machinery, leading to the first set of arrests.
Masterminds had previous cases; accounts frozen
CCB DCP-I Sriharibabu said that the arrested couple was previously booked in Mysuru for similar offences, indicating repeated involvement in food adulteration networks. Police have now frozen ₹60 lakh from their bank accounts, believed to be proceeds earned through the illegal business.
Samples of the seized ghee have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for a detailed chemical analysis. The results are expected to form a crucial part of the chargesheet.
Interrogation of the couple is under way, with officials trying to trace links to suppliers of raw oils, packaging material vendors and possible interstate collaborators who may have supported logistics or transport.
Public health concern and consumer advisory
The case has raised strong concerns about consumer safety, given that adulterated ghee can pose health risks and degrade nutritional quality. Food safety officials have urged consumers to purchase dairy products only from authorised booths or verified retailers.
Retailers have also been advised to strictly check their stock, ensure supply is received only through official KMF channels, and report any suspicious packaging or unusual pricing patterns.
KMF has reinforced that genuine Nandini ghee undergoes multiple quality checks, and any deviation in texture, colour or aroma should be reported immediately.
Conclusion
The unravelling of this interstate racket marks one of the biggest crackdowns on counterfeit dairy products in recent years. With the masterminds now in custody, CCB officials say the investigation will continue until the entire network — including production suppliers and regional distributors — is identified and neutralised. Authorities believe the case will serve as a strong deterrent to similar food adulteration operations in the future