The Special Operations Group (SOG) Crime Branch raided two cosmetic shops on Ghee Kanta Road in Ahmedabad and seized 1,221 suspected counterfeit products worth ₹6.90 lakh. The products allegedly violated the copyright of popular cosmetics brand Matrix.
The police have registered cases against the shop operators, Yash Prabhullal Thakkar of My Beauty Central and Rishabh Agarwal of Lakshmi Beauty Shop, under the Copyright Act. Further investigation is underway.
Joint Raid Conducted by SOG and Company Representatives
According to police, Nripendra Shailendrakumar Kashyap, an authorised representative of Matrix based in Nizamuddin East, New Delhi, received information about the sale of counterfeit cosmetics on Ghee Kanta Road.
Following the tip-off, Darshak Parekh, proprietor of Parekh Intellectual Services, and PSI A.A. Vyas of the SOG Crime Branch, along with police personnel and panch witnesses, conducted a joint raid.
During the operation, officials seized shampoo, cream, developer and hair masks worth ₹4.44 lakh from My Beauty Central, located near Panchbhai’s Pol. Another 446 suspected counterfeit products worth ₹2.46 lakh were recovered from Lakshmi Beauty Shop near Panchu Mia’s Dahela.
Authorities plan to collect samples of the seized products and send them for laboratory testing.
Mumbai’s Crawford Market and Ahmedabad Supplier Links Under Scanner
During questioning, Yash Thakkar allegedly told investigators that he sourced the products from Dinesh, owner of Navya Enterprises at Mumbai’s Crawford Market, through Yash Transport in Kalbadevi.
Rishabh Agarwal allegedly said he purchased the products directly from Vijay, owner of R.K. Beauty at Crawford Market, during a visit to Mumbai.
According to the investigation, both traders allegedly received supplies of the suspected counterfeit products from Laxman, a salesperson associated with Krishna Enterprises in Ahmedabad’s Naranpura area, before distributing them to local customers.
Police are investigating the alleged supply chain to identify others involved in the distribution of counterfeit cosmetics.