A 34-year-old man was arrested for making and selling fake paneer in Noida during a police operation in Sector 63 on Monday. Authorities said the arrest is part of a broader crackdown on food fraud that threatens public health across the National Capital Region.
Police identified the accused as Afsar Khan. He had been on the run for weeks, while a ₹25,000 reward was offered for his capture. Khan ran a plant in Sahajpura village, Aligarh, where he produced synthetic paneer with starch, palmolein oil, and other harmful chemicals. He sold the fake paneer cheaply to shopkeepers, who passed it on to consumers in Delhi and NCR.
Investigators found that Khan’s racket operated for nearly six months and spread across several regions. In June, police seized more than 1,400 kg of adulterated paneer during a routine vehicle check. That discovery showed how widespread the fraud was. Earlier, officers had arrested Gulfam, 23, Naved, 20, and Iqbal, 30, who allegedly worked for Guddu, the suspected mastermind.
Now Khan and his associates face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 274 for food adulteration, Section 275 for selling noxious items, and Section 318(4) for cheating. Police say the charges highlight the seriousness of the crimes and show the government’s intent to fight food fraud.
The case also highlights larger concerns in Punjab, which is famous for dairy production. Adulterated paneer damages consumer trust and poses major health risks. In 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) flagged Punjab’s dairy sector when many milk samples failed quality checks, showing that the problem runs deep.
Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, has improved food safety enforcement. Yet supplies from surrounding regions still create risks. NCR has become a hotspot for food fraud, with many cases involving dairy products.
In conclusion, Khan’s arrest for making and selling fake paneer shows the urgent need for tougher laws and stronger monitoring of food supply chains. Authorities must act more aggressively to protect public health, while consumers should remain cautious about what they buy.
