Gujarat : Kheda Police Unearth Duplicate Toddy Factory, Owner Flees

Kheda : The Kheda police in Gujarat unearthed a distressing revelation in their ongoing investigation into the Ayurvedic syrup scam, discovering a clandestine factory engaged in the production of duplicate Toddy, a deadly concoction that claimed the lives of seven individuals in the district. The factory, raided on Monday night, churned out a counterfeit variant of Toddy, a hazardous substance with fatal implications.

District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya shed light on the operation, revealing that the Special Operation Group received intel concerning a factory in Nadiad GIDC involved in the illicit manufacture and distribution of Choral hydrate, masquerading as Toddy, sold primarily in Maharashtra. However, upon the police raid, the owner, identified as Prakash Gopwani, absconded, leaving behind bewildered staff members with scant knowledge of the hazardous chemicals being processed.

During the raid, authorities seized chemicals and paraphernalia valued at Rs 24 lakh. The manhunt for the Mumbai-based owner, Prakash Gopwani, has been launched by Kheda police, emphasizing the severity of the case. A comprehensive investigation has been initiated under multiple sections, including culpable homicide, causing harm using poison, adulteration of food or drink, selling noxious substances, and forgery.

Police investigations revealed the illicit usage of Choral chemical to synthesize Chloral Hydrate powder, a hazardous and poisonous substance utilized in the production of the counterfeit Toddy. The factory operated without due permissions, concealing the true nature of its activities from its staff. Officers underscored the deadly consequences of consuming Toddy manufactured from this chemical, underscoring its lethal potential.

The intricate web of deceit spun by the owner involved deliberate obfuscation, with the final product’s true purpose concealed from workers. Despite informing one worker that the powder manufactured in the factory was intended for fertilizer production, the actual application of the Chloral Hydrate powder in manufacturing the lethal Toddy remained undisclosed.

Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, a police official emphasized the potential fatality of consuming the counterfeit Toddy, warning of its toxic nature. Chloral hydrate, a sedative with legitimate medical uses for insomnia and anxiety, in this illicit form, posed a severe threat to public health and safety.

As the investigation unfolds, Kheda police, in collaboration with forensic teams, continue to piece together crucial evidence, underscoring the urgency of apprehending the elusive owner and curbing the perilous counterfeit production posing a serious threat to public well-being.