Karnataka: Illegal transport of PDS rice busted

A food inspector intercepted a pickup vehicle allegedly transporting illegally procured Public Distribution System (PDS) rice in Mangaluru.

The complainant, food inspector Prasanna Kumar Pakkala, received information on Tuesday at 5.30pm while in Mangaluru that PDS rice was being loaded into a pickup vehicle at Bajpe with the intention of selling it for profit. To verify the information, the complainant proceeded in a departmental vehicle and reached near the junction at 6.10pm, where a pickup vehicle loaded with sacks was seen moving ahead towards Bajpe Church Junction, police said.

Immediately, the complainant informed the police. The pickup vehicle turned right from Church Junction and proceeded towards Old Airport Road via the old police station road. With the help of police, the vehicle was intercepted on the road leading from Mura Junction towards the old airport.

Upon inspection, three accused, including the driver, were found in the vehicle. When questioned about the sacks, the driver stated that the rice was purchased from multiple sources: 35 bags (50kg each) from Karambar Bava’s Golden Store for Rs 28,000, 15 bags (50kg each) from Bajpe Latif’s grocery shop for Rs 14,000, and 30 bags (50kg each) from Arif’s shop in Bajpe for Rs 24,000. He further stated that the rice was being transported to KC Road in Ullal to be processed and sold for profit.

When asked for purchase bills, the driver said that no bills were available, and confirmed that it was PDS rice. The accused, identified as Jainuddin, Abbas and Abdul Razak. A case has been registered at Bajpe police station.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.