Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Jun 10: Acting on a tip-off, officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, in coordination with the jurisdictional police, raided a shop in Bommarabettu village under Hiriyadka police limits. The raid took place at Prabhu General Store in the Mambettu area, where rice meant for free distribution under the government’s Anna Bhagya scheme was found illegally stockpiled after being purchased from the public.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of the Udupi food inspector, with support from Hiriyadka PSI Puneeth Kumar B E, and police personnel P C Adarsh and P C Karthik. During the inspection, officials found 55 quintals and 60 kilograms of rice, valued at Rs 1,27,880, stored in 131 plastic bags within the shop premises. The seized rice was confirmed to be part of the Anna Bhagya scheme’s free distribution stock.

One person, Vasudeva Prabhu (56), son of Keshava Prabhu and a resident of Kukkadakatte, Mambettu, Bommarabettu village in Udupi taluk, was arrested in connection with the case and produced before the court.

The rice was confiscated in the presence of food department officials, and a case has been registered at the Hiriyadka police station.