HC Denies Relief to Balapur Businessman in Adulterated Spices Case

The Telangana High Court has declined to grant interim relief to a businessman seeking to quash a criminal case registered against him in Balapur, Hyderabad, in connection with the alleged manufacturing of adulterated spices.

Justice J Sreenivas Rao heard the petition filed by businessman Vikas Agarwal. During the proceedings, the state government informed the court that food adulteration has become a serious issue and a grave health hazard, stressing that police are taking strict measures to curb the menace across Telangana.

Public prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao opposed the petition, submitting that adulterated spices and other contaminated food items were reaching households across the state, including those of judicial officers. He argued that granting relief to individuals involved in food adulteration, on any grounds, would encourage them to operate with impunity and further endanger public health.

Police had earlier booked a case against Vikas Agarwal and his associates following a raid on a production unit where they were allegedly manufacturing adulterated spices.

During the raid, investigators seized large quantities of inferior-quality cumin and caraway seeds. The stock was allegedly adulterated by mixing the seeds with industrial-grade, non-edible dye and oil used for polishing.

After hearing the submissions, Justice Sreenivas Rao refused to grant any interim relief to the petitioner and adjourned the matter to August 24 for the next hearing.