Pune, 8th October 2026: What appeared to be fresh, white milk was allegedly a chemically prepared and adulterated liquid containing substances such as detergent, shampoo, edible oil, whey powder and other ingredients.
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation has now traced the network beyond Manchar to Malshiras in Solapur and Indapur, including the supply of adulterated milk to Sonai Dairy.
The case came to light in July when the FDA and Pune Rural Police jointly investigated information about an adulterated milk operation in the Manchar area.
On July 4, the team raided Navkar Distributors at Avasari Khurd in Ambegaon taluka and seized whey powder, whey permeate powder, detergent, emulsifiers and other substances allegedly used for milk adulteration.
Samples were collected from different products and the stock was seized for further investigation.
The investigation found that adulteration was no longer limited to adding water to milk. Chemicals and food ingredients were allegedly being used to artificially alter the milk's composition.
According to the investigation:
Skimmed milk powder was used to increase SNF levels.
Whey powder was used to increase protein-related components.
Edible oil was used to increase fat content.
Emulsifiers and detergent were used to mix different ingredients.
FDA testing also found detergent in six samples collected from Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar. Detergent was also detected in milk from Atharva Milk and Milk Products Industries.
The FDA investigation has identified Sushant Baburao Hinge as the alleged mastermind of the Manchar adulterated milk operation.
Investigators found that Hinge allegedly supplied adulterated milk to Sonu alias Chaitanya Arun Ghorpade of Piliw, Malshiras, Solapur. The milk was then reportedly supplied to Mahalaxmi Milk and Products and Yoginatha Milk Suppliers in the Piliw-Malshiras area.
From there, the adulterated milk allegedly reached Sonai Dairy (Indapur Dairy and Milk Products) at Gokhali in Indapur through tankers.
The investigation also found that Ananda Maruti Pawar, who was associated with a milk collection centre at Holwade in Khed taluka, allegedly supplied adulterated milk to Sonai Dairy and was in contact with Hinge.
The case registered at Manchar Police Station has so far identified 37 accused. They include alleged suppliers of adulterating substances, industrial chemicals, transporters, people linked to milk collection and chilling centres, and milk traders.
The investigation is also examining the financial transactions linked to the network and digital evidence gathered during the probe.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the investigation is not being limited to identifying where adulterated milk was found.
“Milk is an important part of the diet of children, senior citizens, patients and the general public. We are tracing who supplied the substances used for adulteration, who purchased them, where they were used and where the adulterated milk was subsequently sent. We have also found information about major financial transactions and digital evidence, and a separate financial investigation is underway,” Mundhe said.
