The Commissioner’s Task Force, South-East Zone Team, Hyderabad, busted an illegal manufacturing unit producing duplicate Karachi Mehendi cones and apprehended two persons involved in the racket on January 13, 2026.

Acting on a tip-off, the Task Force, along with Balapur and Afzalgunj Police, conducted simultaneous raids at a premises in Minar Colony, Balapur, and SKS Travels & Cargo, Afzalgunj. During the operation, police arrested Md Asif (48), a carpenter and manufacturer, and Deepak Kumar (25), a wholesaler and supplier.

Investigations revealed that Md Asif had set up a small manufacturing unit in Balapur, where he initially produced unbranded mehendi cones. Due to low demand, he began manufacturing counterfeit “Karachi Mehendi” cones to exploit their high market demand. The duplicate products were supplied to shops across the twin cities and other areas through wholesaler Deepak Kumar, who transported them as genuine products, thereby cheating customers and earning illegal profits.

Police seized 8,400 duplicate Karachi Mehendi cones, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, packing materials, mobile phones, and other items, all valued at approximately ₹8 lakh.

The raid was carried out under the supervision of Inspector S. Saidababu, South-East Zone Task Force, by SIs K. Swamy, M. Madhu, and their team, along with Balapur and Afzalgunj Police.