Ahmedabad: A joint raid by the city special operations group (SOG) and representatives of trademark holders led to the busting of an alleged duplicate pan masala manufacturing unit in Odhav, where fake Vimal and Mahak pan masala products worth Rs 3.3 lakh were seized on Saturday evening.The complaint was filed by Hiren Patel, 44, proprietor of an intellectual property rights enforcement firm authorized by companies associated with Vimal and Mahak pan masala brands to act against counterfeit products.According to the FIR, Patel received information that duplicate pan masala products were being manufactured and packed at a shed on the second floor of a premises in Odhav. Acting on the tip-off, a joint team of SOG personnel and company representatives conducted a raid at the site.Police said the team found a man identified as Shabbirali Shaikh, 47, a resident of Gomtipur, allegedly packing fake Vimal pan masala using a machine. During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted he had no authorization from the original companies and was selling duplicate products in Surat, Vadodara and Rajasthan.During the search, officials seized a packaging machine worth Rs 70,000, around 2,000 packets of suspected fake Vimal pan masala valued at Rs 2.4 lakh, Mahak Silver pan masala packets and loose pouches, raw materials including betel nuts, packaging rolls, empty plastic pouches and two mobile phones.Police said the counterfeit products closely matched original branded packaging, including printed slogans and pouch designs.An FIR was registered against Shaikh under provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957, for alleged duplication and unauthorized use of trademarked packaging material.
