Telangana HC declines interim relief in adulterated spices case

The Telangana High Court on Friday refused to grant interim relief in a case concerning the manufacture and sale of adulterated spices. Justice J. Sreenivas Rao directed the police to continue the investigation, rejecting arguments that law enforcement lacked authority to register food adulteration cases.

By Our Legal Correspondent 

Hyderabad: Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court on Friday declined to pass interim orders staying the investigation into a case involving the manufacture and sale of adulterated spices. 

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The court was hearing a petition filed by Vikas Agarwal and others seeking to quash the criminal case registered against them by the police. Appearing for the petitioners, counsel argued that the police lack the legal authority to register cases regarding food adulteration, contending that such matters fall under specialized statutory frameworks. 

Counsel further submitted that the primary petitioner was not present at the location where the police conducted searches, and asserted that he had been implicated solely based on a statement made by a co-accused in police custody. 

Opposing the plea, Public Prosecutor Palle Nageswara Rao contended that law enforcement agencies are conducting targeted raids and booking cases to combat the rampant spread of food adulteration across the region.

He emphasized that adulterated spice ingredients prepared by organized syndicates reach household kitchens, posing widespread public health risks. The Public Prosecutor submitted that granting interim protection or staying the probe at this stage would send the wrong message and encourage fraudulent activities that jeopardize public safety. 

Taking note of these submissions, Justice Sreenivas Rao refused to grant any interim relief and directed the police to proceed with the investigation. The High Court further directed the authorities to file a comprehensive counter-affidavit and adjourned the matter for further hearing.