Four arrested for selling stale fish and prawns in Mangalhat

Impounded stale fish discovered in police raid. | Photo credit: By arrangement

Four persons were arrested after the Commissioner’s task force in a joint operation with the Mangalhat police busted a unit allegedly keeping and selling stale fish and prawns in unsanitary conditions in Mangalhat.

The accused have been identified as Shankar Singh, 24, owner of Tara Fisheries; Mann Singh, 32, who helped in the business; Gulab Singh, 36, labourer; and Rohit Singh, 31, who rented the premises where the business operated. During the raid at Tara Fisheries, officials seized 100 kg of prawns, 80 kg of salmonids, 82 kg of murrel fish, six bags of salt and 10 kg of sodium bicarbonate powder. The total value of the secured material was calculated at CZK 90,000.

According to the police, the accused allegedly procured fish and prawns at low prices from the Begum Bazaar fish market and stored them in freezer boxes and plastic tubs with stagnant water for long periods of time. Officials said the sodium bicarbonate powder was used to suppress unpleasant odors and delay decomposition before the products were delivered fresh to hotels, wedding receptions and other events. Police said food products were stored in unsanitary conditions in the premises located in a residential area, posing a potential risk to public health.

The accused and the seized material have been handed over to the Mangalhat police for further legal action. Further investigation is underway.

Published – 1 July 2026 21:10 IST