The Bantwal police seized rice, meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) and unauthorisedly being transported in a vehicle, at Goodinabali in B Mooda village of Bantwal taluk.
Acting on a tip-off that rice from a fair price shop is being transported in a vehicle, the police conducted a raid on a building. When asked, Abdul Salam, who was in the vehicle, said that the rice was being transported to Kerala without any documents and it was provided by building owner Abdul Hakim.
The building owner said that he had purchased rice at a lesser price from people and was selling it at a higher price.
The police seized 60 bags of rice weiging 50 kg each from the vehicle, 27 bags of rice weighing 50 kg each along with 28 bags of rice weighing 40 kg each from the shop along with a weighing machine, two sewing machines and a pickup vehicle.
A case has been registered following a complaint by Food inspector Srinivas for violation under Section 4, 5 of Karnataka Essential Commodities Act, Karnataka Essential Commodities Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2016.
The police have also arrested Abdul Hakim and Abdul Salam.