Bengaluru: Days after a large-scale fake Nandini ghee racket was busted, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Wednesday arrested the alleged masterminds — a couple identified as Shivakumar and Ramya. Officials said the duo operated a sophisticated manufacturing unit producing counterfeit ghee under the trusted Nandini brand of the Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation (KMF).
High-tech unit used to produce fake ghee
The CCB raid revealed advanced machinery capable of manufacturing adulterated ghee in bulk. Police stated that the fake ghee was packaged in a way that closely resembled genuine Nandini products, making detection difficult. All equipment at the unit has been seized, and samples have been sent for laboratory testing to check for harmful ingredients.
Four earlier arrests led police to the couple
Before the couple’s arrest, four men — Mahendra, Deepak, Muniraj, and Abhiarasu — were detained for their involvement in the racket’s operations. Their statements and collected evidence helped the CCB identify the kingpins. The racket first came to light after suspicious supply patterns triggered internal checks within KMF, prompting a joint investigation with the CCB.
Raids across Chamarajpet expose large network
A major breakthrough occurred on November 14 when officials raided godowns, shops, and vehicles linked to Krishna Enterprises in Nanjamba Agrahara, Chamarajpet. The location was suspected to be the supply hub for the adulterated ghee. During the crackdown, police intercepted a vehicle transporting packed fake ghee from Tamil Nadu, unveiling the racket’s inter-state supply chain.
Seizures worth over ₹1.26 crore
Authorities seized:
• 8,136 litres of adulterated ghee worth ₹56.95 lakh
• High-capacity manufacturing machinery
• Coconut and palm oil used as adulterants
• ₹1.19 lakh in cash
• Five mobile phones used for coordination
• Four Bolero goods vehicles worth ₹60 lakh
Officials are also examining whether the accused mixed animal fat into the fake ghee, raising serious health concerns.
Racket exploited Nandini’s trusted reputation
Nandini, one of South India’s most popular dairy brands, enjoys deep consumer trust. Police believe the accused took advantage of this trust and the high demand for ghee to push adulterated products into markets across Bengaluru and beyond. The use of industrial-scale machinery suggests the operation had been functioning for an extended period with substantial profits.
Probe continues into wider network
Authorities are now investigating whether more individuals, distributors, or retailers were knowingly involved. Police said strict action will follow against anyone found to be part of the network. Meanwhile, KMF has intensified its internal monitoring systems and urged consumers to buy products only from authorised retailers.
Conclusion
With the arrest of the kingpins, the core of the racket appears to have been dismantled. However, the CCB continues to track down other links to ensure the safety and authenticity of dairy products sold under the Nandini brand.