Cuttack: In a major crackdown, a joint team of the Commissionerate Police and the Weights and Measures Department on Wednesday raided and shut down a fake engine oil manufacturing unit operating in the Sunariban area near Khairapol under Jagatpur police limits in Odisha’s Cuttack district.
The raid was launched based on intelligence inputs and complaints from local residents who had expressed concerns about suspicious activities in the area. During the operation, authorities discovered that the unit was recycling used and burnt engine oil collected from garages and repackaging it under the labels of reputed brands to deceive customers.
Officials from the Weights and Measures Department confirmed several violations, including improper labelling, inflated pricing, and false warranty claims—all intended to mislead unsuspecting buyers.
While the owner of the illegal unit fled the scene just before the raid, the police have taken the factory manager into custody for interrogation. The seized stock included fake engine oils, grease, lubricants for two-wheelers and cars, and brake fluids.
Investigating officers suspect that the busted unit may be part of a larger network involved in the production and distribution of substandard lubricants across the region. The operation of the unit has been suspended, and efforts are underway to track down the absconding owner and uncover the full extent of the counterfeit supply chain.
Authorities have assured strict action against all those involved, warning that such malpractices pose a serious risk to public safety and vehicle performance.
