28,000 Litres of adulterated milk destroyed in Odisha’s Cuttack

In a strong crackdown on food adulteration, a total of 28,000 litres of adulterated milk was destroyed on Monday by Gurudijhatia Police in Cuttack district following a directive from the Athagarh SDJM Court.

Also Read: Cuttack milk adulteration racket; Mastermind and his associate arrested

The milk, which was previously stored in tankers, was drained out in a remote jungle area through a drainage system, ensuring complete disposal. The action came days after a major milk adulteration racket was busted in Kusupangi, under Gurudijhatia police limits.

Local police had conducted a raid on September 9, acting on a tip-off about adulterated milk being stored behind a hotel in the locality.

Following a detailed investigation, alleged mastermind and hotel owner along with his key associate Sudhir Tiwari were arrested and later produced in court.

This incident has triggered serious concerns about food safety in the region, even as authorities intensify crackdowns on such illegal operations.

No comments were received from Gurudijhatia police in this regard.

Worth mentioning, the mastermind of milk adulteration racket in Gurudijhatia was arrested on September 13. The accused, identified as hotel owner Prakash Khuntia, was taken into custody along with his associate. Both were produced before court following arrest.

According to reports, milk was being sourced from Sambalpur district and later sent to an established company. However, details regarding the tanker’s origin and the company’s identity have not been revealed by the police yet.

Khuntia was the key conspirator behind the illegal operation. A preliminary investigation revealed that the duo had been adulterating milk by mixing it with powder and chemicals, raising serious concerns about public health.

Investigators suspect that more people could be linked to the case. Questions are being raised over the police’s silence on progress of the probe and their reluctance to clarify whether any influential individuals are involved.