Karnataka authorities have seized nearly 565 tonnes of subsidised rice meant for public distribution, worth ₹ 1.34 crore, in a three-day statewide crackdown on an alleged network diverting Food Corporation of India (FCI) grain for illegal export to Africa through Chennai port, the state government said on Friday.
The department said the officials were instructed to inspect the facility and initiate prosecution but allegedly released an impounded truck and its rice without registering an FIR or informing senior officials. The crackdown also led to disciplinary action against two government officials accused of failing to act against an illegal PDS rice storage facility operated by Ravi Traders in Bastawad village in Belagavi district. Directed by food and civil supplies minister Rizwan Arshad, the operation involved the commercial tax department, agricultural marketing department, Karnataka state police and Karnataka state excise department. Cases were registered at Nipani Rural and Malamaruti police stations against drivers from Latur, Satara and Hubballi.
Six criminal cases were registered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1981, and nine people were booked. Apart from 5,64,992 kg of rice, the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs also seized 24 vehicles worth ₹ 3.41 crore, taking the total value of the seized property to ₹ 4.75 crore, according to a statement issued on Friday. In another operation in Belagavi district, officials intercepted three trucks carrying 71,800 kg of rice allegedly being transported to Maharashtra.
“The suspect entities traded up to 56,459.87 quintals of rice in the past two months (August 2026, September 2026) against a legitimate FCI purchase record of merely 5,000 quintals,” the department said. The grain was being repackaged in branded bags for sale in the open market, according to the department. Arshad said enforcement would extend to government officials suspected of involvement or negligence, as well as private traders and companies.
Food and Civil Supplies Commissioner B Poornima suspended Hukkeri taluk food inspector Praveen Sagar and shirastedar L B Dange on Friday pending a departmental inquiry.
