Fake Milk Racket Busted in Tonk: 80,000 Litres Supplied Daily to Jaipur, Ajmer

Tonk / Jaipur: A shocking food adulteration racket supplying nearly 80,000 litres of fake milk daily to Jaipur, Ajmer and Tonk has been exposed after police raided an illegal factory operating in Tonk district. Authorities say the operation posed a serious public health threat, with dangerous chemicals including caustic soda being mixed into the milk to extend shelf life.

The late-night raid was carried out by the District Special Team (DST) in Diggi town near Bagar Ki Dhani on Deshma Road. During the operation, police seized around 5,500 litres of adulterated milk, five pickup vehicles loaded with milk cans, and a tanker ready for distribution.

Large stock of chemicals recovered

Investigators recovered huge quantities of materials used to manufacture synthetic milk, including:

• 2,100 litres of soybean oil
• 500 litres of vanaspati ghee
• 550 kg skimmed milk powder
• 2,500 kg lactose monohydrate
• 105 kg caustic soda

Food Safety Officer Madan Lal Gurjar collected milk samples from the site, which have been sent to a laboratory for analysis. A formal case has been registered at Diggi Road police station.

Caustic soda used to keep milk “fresh”

According to DST in-charge Om Prakash, the accused mixed water with milk powder and lactose to mimic the appearance of real milk. To prevent spoilage, they allegedly added caustic soda, a chemical commonly used in soap manufacturing. Vegetable fat, palm oil and soybean oil were blended in to artificially increase fat content.

Police officials said the racket was endangering public health on a massive scale. The factory was distributing adulterated milk across three districts every day, indicating a well-organized network.

Five arrested, kingpin absconding

Five people — identified as Raju, Kalu, Mahipal, Shivraj and Om Prakash — have been arrested. Except for Kalu, the others are residents of Ajmer district. The alleged mastermind, Sonu Yadav of Behror, is currently absconding. Police are conducting a wider investigation to trace the supply chain and identify additional suspects linked to the operation.

Authorities say more arrests are expected as the network is dismantled.