Chennai: NCB arrests 3 drug traffickers; seizes Rs 1 crore worth precursor chemicals

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, Nov 13 (IANS) Three persons, including a father-son duo, were arrested and 50 kg of precursor chemicals, used for manufacturing narcotics, worth Rs 1 crore, were seized by the NCB from MKB Nagar, Annai Indra Nagar, Chennai, an official said on Friday.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the seized consignment was sourced from Hyderabad and intended to be exported for illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine, the official said in the statement.

The crackdown and arrests were carried out on Thursday at a factory manufacturing plastic bottles/boxes running in the name and style of AN Enterprises, said the statement.

The seized 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine was concealed in two gunny bags, each containing 25 kg of the substance, said the NCB.

Investigators said that there is an increasing trend of international trafficking networks operating from Chennai, through which precursor chemicals such as Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine are allegedly being smuggled to countries including Australia and New Zealand.

Pseudoephedrine and Ephedrine are precursor chemicals which can be diverted for the illicit manufacture of Methamphetamine, a highly addictive psychotropic substance, the NCB said.

The trafficking of such precursor chemicals poses a serious threat to international efforts to combat synthetic drug manufacturing and trafficking.

The NCB said it is conducting further investigation to establish the roles of the individuals involved, to identify the source and intended destination of the seized consignment, and to unravel the larger domestic and international network involved in the illicit diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals.

The Narcotics Control Bureau reiterates its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and combating the illicit diversion of precursor chemicals, in furtherance of the Government of India’s vision of a Drug-free India.

For information and assistance relating to drug trafficking, the public may contact the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline at 1933, said the NCB statement.

–IANS

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‘100 pc fruit juice’ claim by Dabur violates law, misleading: FSSAI to Delhi HC

New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) The claim made by FMCG giant Dabur that its range of fruit beverages is made “100 per cent” from fruits violates rules and regulations and is also misleading for the consumers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed the Delhi High Court.

The writ petition filed by Smita Singh, Assistant Director with the FSSAI dated April 22 (a copy of which is with IANS), challenged Dabur against the “100 per cent” claim stating that the juices contain water and fruit concentrates. In addition, the term “100 per cent” is also not a recognised for food products.

“It is respectfully submitted that any Food Business Operator (FBO) who seeks to label, advertise, or market fruit juice products using the expression ‘100 per cent’ does so in the absence of any statutory authorisation and in clear violation of the regulatory framework prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made thereunder,” the petition said.

“The expression 100 per cent constitutes a numerical quantification rather than a qualitative descriptor,” it added.

The food regulator, had, in June 2024 issued a notification directing FBOs to remove claims such as “100 per cent fruit juices” from the label and advertisement of fruit juices.

At the time, Dabur argued that the FSSAI’s directive was legally unsound and stems from a misunderstanding of the existing regulations, according to reports.

In the petition, the FSSAI also cited the views of the scientific panel on Labelling and Claims/Advertisements (SP-08) during its 47th and 49th meetings, on its three products under Real’s range of fruit beverages — Mixed Fruit Juice, Apple Juice, and Grape Juice.

“The 100 per cent claim is misleading since the ingredient list clearly indicates addition of water and the mixed fruit juice concentrate is 6.8 per cent along with the addition of natural flavouring substances,” as per the meeting inputs.

“The term 100 per cent is not defined in the FSS Act 2006, Rules and regulations,” it added.

The matter is reportedly pending before the Delhi HC, and the next date of hearing is July 7.

–IANS

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BJP leader’s murder: Karnataka HC grants ex-MLA Vinay Kulkarni bail; keeps conviction in abeyance

Bengaluru, July 31 (IANS) In a major development in the BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder case, the Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim bail to former Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court earlier this month. The High Court also suspended the conviction order passed by a lower court.

The order was passed by a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Nawaz and Justice G. Basavaraja while hearing the criminal appeal filed by Vinay Kulkarni challenging his conviction. The Bench had reserved its verdict on July 9 after hearing arguments from both sides.

The High Court suspended the conviction order passed by the lower court while granting interim relief to Kulkarni. The court directed him to furnish a surety bond of Rs 5 lakh and imposed several conditions as part of the bail order.

Among the conditions, the court directed Kulkarni not to travel abroad without prior permission and did not continue the restriction imposed by the trial court prohibiting him from entering Dharwad district.

Kulkarni, who represented the Dharwad Rural Assembly constituency, is currently lodged in the Bengaluru Central Prison. With the High Court temporarily staying the conviction order, legal observers noted that the development could have significant political implications, including the possibility of his staking claim to the MLA post, subject to further legal proceedings.

His membership in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had earlier stood disqualified following his conviction, and a bye-election for the Dharwad Rural seat was expected to be announced.

The case pertains to the murder of Yogesh Gowda, which has remained one of Karnataka’s most closely watched political cases. Kulkarni was convicted and awarded life imprisonment by a special court after being found guilty in connection with the murder.

The High Court’s interim order staying the conviction is expected to provide temporary relief to the former MLA pending further adjudication of the matter.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which investigated the case, is likely to move the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order granting interim bail and suspending the conviction.

It can be noted that the BJP Zilla Panchayat member Gowda was murdered on June 15, 2016, at a gym in Dharwad. The probe was handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which uncovered an alleged political conspiracy. A special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru sentenced Vinay Kulkarni and 16 co-accused to life imprisonment on April 17, 2026.

The CBI had stated that, after Yogesh Gowda was murdered on August 10, 2016 at his gym in Dharwad, the case was initially registered by local police, who filed charges against six people, before being transferred to the CBI for further investigation.

The agency found a larger conspiracy involving Kulkarni, his uncle Chandrashekhar Indi, and a police Inspector, who allegedly helped destroy evidence and frame others. The CBI filed a chargesheet against 21 accused after investigation, the CBI had stated.

–IANS

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CM Fadnavis assures thorough probe into Ajit Pawar plane crash, seeks CBI investigation

Mumbai, Feb 22 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, following demands for a transparent and comprehensive investigation.

Speaking to reporters after the customary tea meeting and Cabinet meeting ahead of the Budget Session of the state legislature, Fadnavis said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the request for a central probe.

The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation into the crash near the Baramati airstrip and identifying the exact cause of the accident.

He said multiple agencies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Directorate of Air Safety, and the state Crime Investigation Department (CID), are already conducting parallel inquiries.

Fadnavis confirmed that the aircraft’s flight data recorder (black box) had been recovered and was undergoing forensic examination to help reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Addressing concerns and allegations raised by political leaders, the Chief Minister said all doubts should be addressed through the official investigation process.

“If anyone has doubts, they should be clarified through proper investigation. We should have faith in our institutions and allow investigative agencies to complete their work,” Fadnavis said.

He urged political leaders and the public to avoid speculation and wait for the preliminary findings of the DGCA inquiry, which are expected to be released soon.

CM Fadnavis said the state government had also written to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation seeking a detailed investigation to identify any systemic or technical issues and to strengthen aviation safety.

He said the findings of the probe would help ensure improved safety standards and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have demanded a comprehensive investigation into the crash and called for greater transparency in the probe.

NCP-SP legislator Rohit Pawar alleged that the circumstances surrounding the crash warranted deeper scrutiny and called for an independent investigation.

Officials said further action would depend on the findings of ongoing investigations and the Centre’s decision regarding the recommendation for a CBI probe.

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