Rojalin Mishra

Bhubaneswar: A special squad of Badagada and Laxmisagar police on Monday busted a duplicate 'agarbatti' (incense sticks) manufacturing unit at Brit colony under Badagada police limits here and detained one person in this connection.

According to sources, one Umakant Samal was allegedly involved in manufacture and operation of duplicate and illegal Agarbatti business in the area.

Samal had opened a company ‘Suprabha Agarbatti’ registered in his wife's name. Later when the business was not profitable, he allegedly started manufacturing duplicate incense sticks with the labels of 12 other popular brands used in the State, added sources.

As per police reports, the raid was conducted based on a complaint lodged by the detective agency of agarbatti company.

“We received information about the factory engaged in producing duplicate products from the agarbatti association. We found the information true during our investigation and then lodged a police complaint,” said Rajesh Bharti, the complainant.

Meanwhile, police have sealed the agarbatti manufacturing unit while Umakant has been detained for further interrogation.

Twin City Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said, "Preliminary investigation revealed that despite having license, the accused was misusing it by packaging duplicate materials inside fabricated cartons and packets of other brands."

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