Mumbai (Reporter) – Food and Drug Administration’s Vigilance Department received information from media source that, a Xerox shop located in Sakinaka, Mumbai, has huge stock of N95 masks and sold at exorbitant prices. Officers of the Food and Drug Administration searched the Xerox shop in Sakinaka, Mumbai area and confirmed the information.
On June 29, 2020, along with Sakinaka Police, raided premises of Babuji Xerox, Gajanan Kripa, Asalfa Ghatkopar Road, Sakinaka Mumbai. A person named Shivjibhai Khetabhai Barwadia was present in the shop. A large number of N95 mask of different manufacturers like Venus, Magnum and 3M etc. were available in this shop. Along with stock of N95, 4 to 5 Xerox machines, printing paper, lamination machines, computers etc. were also found in the shop.
The person incharge was carrying out business of N95 masks under the name “Yatee Traders” from the premises of Babuji Xerox. On examination of the purchase and sale documents it was revealed that, the sale was more than the purchase of N95 mask. This indicates that, said person has purchased large quantity of N95 mask without proper invoice. It is also found that said person have sold the N95 mask at a higher rate than the prices fixed by the Manufacturer. Drug Inspector, Brihan Mumbai prepared a detailed investigation report and registered a case with the Sakinaka Police Station under the Essential Commodities Act. Police has seized available stock of N95 masks worth about Rs 4.50 lakh from the premises under the Essential Commodities Act and arrested Shivjibhai Khetabhai Barwadia for further investigation.
Said action was done under guidance of Hon’ble Minister Food and Drugs Dr Rajendra Shingane, Hon’ble State Minister Rajendra Yedravkar, Hon’ble Shri Arun Unhale Commissioner FDA and Hon’ble Shri Suneel Bhardwaj Joint Commissioner Vigilance. Raid was done under supervision and in the presence of Shri J.B.Mantri Joint Commissioner and Shri Rokade Assistant Commissioner IB and team of by Drugs Inspector Sarva Shri Nandekar, Gadewar and Sanjay Rahod.
