'Bilseri' water served to UP Collector at police event. Bulldozer action followed

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district conducted a bulldozer action on a fake bottled water racket, imitating the original brand -- Bisleri -- during a raid led by the District Magistrate.

In Short

• District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh discovered fake 'Bilseri' bottle
• Raid uncovered illegal warehouse with 2,663 counterfeit bottles
• Fake bottles destroyed and legal action taken against the owner

A bulldozer operation took place in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat after Baghpat District Magistrate, Jitendra Pratap Singh, was served a 500 ml bottle labelled 'Bilseri' during a visit to a local police post in the district.

The bulldozer action was aimed at eliminating fake bottled water under names such as 'Bilseri', 'Bislari' and 'Bisalleri'.

Jitendra Pratap Singh was surprised by the name of the bottle served to him. Accompanied by Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpit Vijayvargiya, he closely inspected the bottle and found that it lacked the requisite food licence number.

Singh immediately ordered the Food Safety Department to conduct a thorough investigation. Assistant Food Safety Commissioner Manvendra Singh initiated an enquiry, tracing the counterfeit bottle back to a local shop in Gauripur.

Further investigation led authorities to the shop's owner, Bhim Singh, who was found running an illegal warehouse from his home, distributing fake water bottles across the district.

During a raid on the warehouse, authorities seized a staggering 2,663 bottles, all of which featured labels designed to mimic the original Bisleri packaging, with green-coloured names deliberately intended to mislead consumers.

Samples were collected for laboratory testing, while the counterfeit bottles were promptly destroyed on-site using a bulldozer. The warehouse was also shut down for operating without a valid licence, and legal action was initiated against the owner.

Later, police found that these fake bottled water products were being supplied from Haryana and distributed to various shops across Baghpat. The District Magistrate then ordered the formation of a special team to ensure swift action against the distribution of such counterfeit products.

"The sale of counterfeit goods not only deceives customers but also jeopardises their health. Strict measures will be taken to eradicate such practices from the market," Singh said.

The District Magistrate also called for public cooperation, encouraging locals to report any instances of counterfeit food products. He also directed the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to thoroughly inspect all shops selling counterfeit branded products in the district.

(With inputs from Dushyant.)