The Delhi Police Crime Branch has successfully dismantled a dangerous racket involving the sale of expired food and cosmetic products. The team arrested the main supplier, Akram Ansari, from a warehouse in the Shahid Nagar area near the Delhi-UP border. This arrest comes after the police interrogated Omprakash Sharma, who was previously caught running a facility to change expiry dates on old stock. Ansari was the mastermind who sourced these expired goods and pushed them back into the market.
How the gang operated and tricked customers
Akram Ansari, a resident of Old Seemapuri, worked as a scrap dealer for over 15 years. He utilized his deep connections in the market to purchase expired inventory from various sources at extremely low prices. For the last two years, he had been supplying these items to his associate Omprakash.
The modus operandi was simple but dangerous. The gang used chemical thinners to carefully wipe off the original manufacturing and expiry dates from the packaging. After cleaning the labels, they used handheld inkjet printers to print new dates, making the old products appear fresh and safe for use. These items were then distributed to retail shops, posing a serious threat to public health.
Major brands and items seized during the raid
The police raid at the Rastogi Compound warehouse led to the recovery of a massive amount of stock. The seized items belong to well-known companies and are used in daily households. The inventory included everything from baby care products to health supplements and medicines.
Police officials have listed the following recovered items:
| Category | Brands and Products |
| Baby Care & Cosmetics | Mother Sparsh (Shampoo, Lotion), Dabur Vatika, Everyuth Body Lotion, Nandini Herbal Kits |
| Food & Drinks | Glucon-D, Rasna Honey, Patanjali Power Vita Plus, Sugar-Free Gold |
| Medicinal Items | Dabur Honitus Syrup, Dashmularishta, Antiseptic Liquids |
Police investigation and health risks involved
DCP Vikram Singh and his team have registered cases against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Trade Marks Act. The investigation is currently ongoing to trace the entire supply chain. Police are looking for the shopkeepers and distributors who knowingly or unknowingly bought this re-labeled stock to sell to the general public.
Experts have warned that consuming or using these expired products can lead to severe consequences. The risks include food poisoning, skin allergies, and chronic respiratory problems. The gang specifically targeted high-demand periods like festive seasons to clear this toxic stock quickly.
