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Maharashtra

Maharashtra bans analogue cottage cheese to protect consumers; violations to attract jail, heavy fines (Ld)

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Mumbai, Aug 5: In a major move aimed at safeguarding public health, the Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, transportation, distribution, and processing of analogue paneer (artificial or non-dairy cottage cheese) across the state. With this decision, Maharashtra becomes the second state in the country, after Chhattisgarh, to prohibit the product.

According to an order issued by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on July 30, the ban has come into immediate effect. It covers the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, wholesale and retail sale, as well as the offering for sale of analogue or non-dairy cheese throughout the state.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clarified that any individual or establishment selling analogue paneer while misrepresenting it as genuine dairy cheese will be deemed to have misled consumers and engaged in unfair trade practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against violators.

Under the provisions of the Act, offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. In cases where the consumption of unsafe food results in death, the law provides for life imprisonment along with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.

The issue had also been raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly last year, where several legislators demanded a complete ban on analogue paneer. The government’s latest decision is being viewed as a significant step towards protecting consumers from misleading food products and ensuring food safety.

Cottage cheese is a staple in Indian households and is valued for its taste, versatility, and high nutritional content. However, in recent years, analogue paneer has emerged as a low-cost alternative in the food industry. Unlike traditional paneer, analogue paneer replaces expensive milk fat and milk solids with vegetable oils, such as palm oil, and starches to replicate the appearance and texture of dairy paneer at a fraction of the cost.

Although analogue paneer closely resembles regular paneer and is often difficult to distinguish visually, it lacks several essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, and vitamins. Health experts have also expressed concerns about its potential adverse health effects, prompting growing debate over its quality, nutritional value, and authenticity.

Bollywood

Tiger Shroff firing case: 12th accused sent to police custody till Nov 6

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A Mumbai court on Saturday sent Amar, the 12th accused arrested from Haryana’s Sonipat in connection with the firing incident on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to police custody till November 6.

On Thursday, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had sent 11 other accused arrested in connection with the firing on Shroff’s car to police custody till November 6.

The latest accused was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat.

Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police had produced Amar before a court, which sent him to police custody until November 6.

According to officials, Amar is accused of having transferred money, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, online. The funds were reportedly used for various expenses, including the purchase of a motorcycle and booking hotel rooms linked to the case.

According to the preliminary investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.

Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.

The Mumbai Police are investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.

Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.

Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.

With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.

The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.

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Maharashtra

36-year-old absconding accused arrested from Gujarat in Mumbai non-bailable warrant

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed the arrest of a wanted suspect, against whom a non-bailable warrant had been issued by the court in connection with a theft case. The 29-year-old complainant was en route to deliver diamonds, gold jewelry, and cash from his shop when, in front of the main entrance of the Panchratna Building, four unidentified individuals—acting in conspiracy—threatened him with a revolver and a knife. They injured him and forcibly stole the diamonds, jewelry, and cash, valued at approximately 2,048,964 rupees. A case was subsequently registered at the D.B. Marg Police Station. Following further investigation by Crime Branch Unit 2, a charge sheet was filed in court. The 59-year-old suspect involved in this crime had repeatedly failed to appear in court during the proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. The Crime Branch carried out this operation to execute the said warrant.

Acting on direct intelligence and technical analysis, the police team tracked down the 59-year-old suspect—who was a wanted individual subject to a non-bailable warrant—and took him into custody on October 30th in Gaonpur, Vadodara district, Gujarat. This operation was conducted under the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, with the involvement of Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishna Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Raj Tilak Roshan.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Crime Branch succeeds in Mumbai kidnapping case, convicts accused

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In a kidnapping case in Mumbai, the accused have been found guilty following the prosecution’s presentation of the case by the Crime Branch. Based on the evidence provided, the court convicted the accused and handed down sentences. On August 3, 2018, within the jurisdiction of the Kurla V.B. Nagar Police Station, a 13-year-old boy was abducted by unknown individuals while he was alone at home. A complaint was filed at the Vinoba Bhave Nagar Police Station, and a case was registered under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code (Case No. 223/2018). Given the highly sensitive nature of the crime, the investigation was transferred to Crime Branch Unit 4, Mumbai. Subsequently, the case was re-registered by the Crime Branch (Case No. 47/2018), and the investigation was initiated. During the investigation into the aforementioned crime, five suspects were apprehended on August 6, 2018, and the kidnapped boy was successfully recovered. Following the collection of all evidence against the suspects, a charge sheet was filed in court—invoking Sections 363, 364(A), 328, 365, 324, 343, 506, and 120(B) of the IPC, along with Section 37(1) of the PESCO Act. On September 30, 2026, the court handed down sentences to the accused: 3 years under Section 328, 2 years under Section 363, 2 years under Section 324, and 1 year under Section 343, in addition to a fine of Rs. 3,500. This operation was carried out under the supervision of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, and DCP Raj Tilak Roshan.

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