Four arrested for selling stale fish and prawns in Mangalhat

Four persons were arrested after the Commissioner’s Task Force, in a joint operation with the Mangalhat police, busted a unit allegedly preserving and selling stale fish and prawns in unhygienic conditions in Mangalhat.

The accused were identified as Shankar Singh, 24, owner of Tara Fisheries; Mann Singh, 32, who assisted in the business; Gulab Singh, 36, a worker; and Rohit Singh, 31, who had rented out the premises where the business was operating. During the raid at Tara Fisheries, officials seized 100 kg of prawns, 80 kg of salmon fish, 82 kg of murrel fish, six bags of salt and 10 kg of sodium bicarbonate powder. The total value of the seized material was estimated at ₹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 for prolonged periods in deep freezers and plastic tubs containing stagnant water. Officials alleged that sodium bicarbonate powder was used to suppress foul odours and delay decomposition before the products were supplied as fresh to hotels, marriage functions and other events. Police said the food products were stored in unhygienic conditions at a premises located in a residential area, posing a potential risk to public health.

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