Ahmedabad’s Special Operations Group has seized 6,900 suspected counterfeit cigarette packets valued at Rs 8.62 lakh during raids at two shops in Maninagar and Kalupur, arresting a 66-year-old shopkeeper and beginning a search for the alleged supplier.
The action was carried out after a complaint from Darshak Parekh, the 47-year-old owner of Parekh International Adult Services Company. According to the report, Parekh said he was authorised to initiate action against products allegedly violating ITC Limited’s trademark and copyright.
The first raid took place on October 9 at Mahesh General Stores in Maninagar’s Sindhi Market. The SOG team conducted the operation along with the complainant, a company representative and two independent witnesses. Investigators seized 3,550 cigarette packets, packed in 71 cartons containing 50 packets each. The packets were priced at Rs 125 each, putting the seized stock at an estimated value of Rs 4.43 lakh.
The investigation then led officers to Dev Traders in Kalupur’s Pan Market. The report said the shopkeeper, identified as Shobraj Jethanand Kevalani, allegedly told investigators that additional stock was stored at the second premises, which also belonged to him. A further 3,350 packets of the same brand were seized from that shop, with the stock valued at Rs 4.18 lakh.
Together, the two seizures amounted to 6,900 packets worth Rs 8.62 lakh. Investigators reportedly sent the product identification numbers printed on the cigarette packaging to Apurva Dave, ITC’s regional representative. According to the complaint, the numbers could not be verified through the company’s software, and the products were therefore identified as not having been manufactured by ITC.
During questioning, Kevalani allegedly told investigators that he had purchased the cigarettes from a person identified as Nikunjbhai. The alleged supplier had contacted him through WhatsApp and supplied stock against orders, the report said. Police have begun efforts to trace the supplier.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957. The investigation will now focus on the alleged supply route, the source of the counterfeit packaging and whether further retailers or distributors were involved. The seized goods remain central to the inquiry as investigators pursue the person identified as Nikunjbhai.
