Man detained under Goondas Act in the Nilgiris

The provisions of the Goondas Act was invoked against a man accused of smuggling rice meant for the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the Nilgiris.

According to officials, the accused, identified as Mohammaed, 33, from Cherambadi in Gudalur, was detained on January 24 after police attached to the Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department in the Nilgiris district received a tip-off of potential rice smuggling in the district. They intercepted a freight vehicle and questioned Mohammed.

As his answers remained evasive, they conducted a check on his vehicle and discovered 1,400 kg of ration rice packed in 35 sacks. He was then arrested and remanded to judicial custody. During investigations it was revealed that Mohammed had been arrested for a similar offence in 2021, and that he was currently an under-trial in the case.

Officials of the Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department stated that strict legal action will be taken against those who illegally smuggle, hoard, or sell in the black market the commodities distributed to the public under the Public Distribution System by the Government of Tamil Nadu.