The district administration seized huge consignments of adulterated paneer and ghee from six buses during a surprise raid at Booty Mor under Sadar police station on Sunday morning, two days before Holi.

A team comprising officials of the health department seized over 4,000kg of synthetic paneer and 15kg of adulterated ghee.

The consignments, worth over Rs 13 lakh, were supposed to be delivered to various shops in the capital.

The raid was conducted between 4.30am and 5.30am during which the team checked as many as 25 buses.

“Out of the 25 buses, we found six carrying these consignments. The raiding team had food-testing chemicals and equipment with them and the samples were tested on the spot. These buses were coming from Bakhtiyarpur in Bihar,” Ranchi subdivisional officer (SDO) Lokesh Mishra said.

Mishra said the drivers of the buses were questioned about the consignments, but they claimed they were neither aware of the sender nor the receiver.

“They said they were just asked to take the consignments to Ranchi where they would be received by a few people at Birsa Munda bus terminus. We are investigating the case and proper legal action will be taken in this regard,” Mishra added.

Ranchi deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat confirmed the development.

The seized paneer and ghee were sent to the state food laboratory in Namkum for further tests.

The buses and drivers were released by police on furnishing of personal bonds.

The Ranchi district administration has started a massive drive to check the sale of adulterated sweets.

Basant, the owner of a city-based grocery shop, said adulterated paneer coming from Bihar were mostly manufactured in Patna.

“Therefore, this is popularly known as Patna paneer, which has high levels of chemicals such as urea, detergent and sulphuric acid. During festivals, the consumption of such items increases. The starting price of Patna paneer is around Rs 150 per kg and the rate can go up to Rs 600 per kg. It has a very bad taste and leads to an upset stomach. Almost all small hotels and sweet shops sell Patna paneer. It’s therefore safe to purchase paneer made only by a trusted brand,” Basant said.

Pankaj, another shopkeeper, agreed.

“There is a fear among people that they may contract coronavirus through the consumption of mutton and chicken.

“Therefore, even the avid non-vegetarians are opting for paneer this time. But purchasing paneer without checking its quality could harm your health,” he said.