A bulldozer operation was carried out in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, after District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh was served a counterfeit water bottle labeled 'Bilseri' during a visit to a local police post. The operation aimed to crack down on fake bottled water brands, including names like 'Bilseri,' 'Bislari,' and 'Bisalleri.'
The incident unfolded when Singh, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya, inspected the suspicious bottle and discovered it lacked the necessary food license number. Singh immediately ordered an investigation by the Food Safety Department, led by Assistant Food Safety Commissioner Manvendra Singh. The inquiry traced the bottle to a local shop in Gauripur, revealing a larger network of counterfeit distribution.
Authorities identified Bhim Singh, the shop owner, who was operating an illegal warehouse from his home, distributing fake water bottles across Baghpat. A raid on the warehouse uncovered 2,663 bottles with labels mimicking the well-known Bisleri brand, designed to deceive consumers.
The fake bottles were destroyed on-site using a bulldozer, and the unlicensed warehouse was shut down. Legal action was initiated against the owner. Further investigation revealed that the counterfeit water was being supplied from Haryana and distributed across various shops in Baghpat.
District Magistrate Singh ordered the formation of a special task force to prevent the spread of counterfeit goods. He emphasized the dangers of fake products to consumer health and called for public cooperation, urging locals to report any instances of counterfeit food items. Additionally, Singh directed the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to conduct thorough inspections of all shops selling counterfeit products in the district.