Bengaluru police have dismantled a counterfeit ghee production and distribution network targeting Nandini, a flagship brand of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). The operation led to the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of over 8,136 liters of fake ghee, manufacturing equipment, cash, and vehicles, totaling approximately ₹12.7 million in assets.
Investigations revealed that the counterfeit ghee was manufactured in Tamil Nadu, packaged in fake Nandini-branded containers, and distributed through legitimate KMF channels in Bengaluru.
The arrested individuals include Mahendra, a primary KMF distributor, his son Deepak, and drivers Muniraj and Abhi Arasu. They are accused of exploiting the high demand for Nandini ghee by adulterating it with coconut oil, palm oil, and potentially animal fat, selling it as genuine product.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemath Kumar Singh stated, “This syndicate exploited consumer trust in the Nandini brand, causing financial losses to both consumers and KMF.”
The operation was initiated based on intelligence gathered by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in collaboration with KMF’s special investigation team and monitoring unit.
On November 14, 2025, a task force raided Krishna Enterprises’ warehouses, shops, and vehicles in Nanjamba Agrahara, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, seizing:
– 8,136 liters of adulterated ghee mixed with coconut and palm oils
– 4 transport vehicles
– Counterfeit ghee production machinery
– Cash amounting to ₹1.19 lakh
– Mobile phones used in the operation
A case has been registered with the CCB Special Investigation Division, and forensic testing of the seized ghee is underway.
This incident not only damages KMF’s brand reputation but also poses health risks to consumers due to unregulated ingredients in the fake ghee. KMF has previously faced counterfeiting issues and implemented measures like holograms and QR codes for product authentication.
Experts advise consumers to purchase Nandini ghee from authorized retailers and verify packaging for authenticity, noting that unusually low prices may indicate counterfeit products.
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