Kanpur. A major alleged counterfeit cement racket has been uncovered in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where a network is suspected of selling fake cement under the names of established brands. Preliminary police investigations indicate that more than 100,000 bags of counterfeit cement may have been distributed across Kanpur, Lucknow and neighbouring districts over the past three years. During a raid on a warehouse in the Ispat Nagar area of Panki, police recovered 4,000 filled cement bags and more than 3,000 empty bags. A warehouse supervisor identified as Rahul has been arrested and sent to jail, while the alleged key operators, two brothers and their two associates, remain absconding. Taking a serious view of the case, the Police Commissioner has given Panki police four days to arrest the remaining accused.
Raid Conducted Following Complaint by Adani Group Official
Mumtazul Haq, senior sales manager at the Adani Group’s Kanpur branch, had filed a written complaint alleging that counterfeit products were being manufactured and sold in the market under the names of branded cement companies.
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Acting on the complaint, a police team led by Kunwar Anshuman Singh, PRO to Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal, raided a warehouse in Ispat Nagar, within the Panki police station area.
According to police, counterfeit cement was allegedly being prepared and packaged under the names of ACC and Ambuja Cement. The material was reportedly packed in bags bearing the Adani Group’s logo before being supplied to the market.
During the raid, police detained Rahul, who was working as a supervisor at the warehouse. Following questioning, he was arrested and sent to jail.
4,000 Filled Bags and More Than 3,000 Empty Bags Recovered
A search of the warehouse led to the recovery of 4,000 filled bags of suspected counterfeit cement and more than 3,000 empty bags. The quantity recovered raised suspicions that cement was being packaged on a large scale and distributed through commercial channels.
During questioning, the arrested supervisor allegedly identified Neeraj Gupta and Dheeraj Gupta, residents of Lal Bangla, as the principal operators of the business. The two are brothers and are suspected of running the operation with two additional partners.
Police are investigating the roles of all four individuals and examining the extent of their alleged involvement in the counterfeit cement trade.
Official Dealership Allegedly Used as a Cover
Preliminary investigations suggest that Neeraj and Dheeraj Gupta had obtained official dealerships for ACC and Ambuja Cement approximately three years ago. Investigators suspect that the brothers subsequently used the dealership arrangement as a cover for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit or adulterated cement from the warehouse.
According to the Police Commissioner, information gathered during the investigation indicates that more than 30,000 bags were being supplied from the warehouse every month on average. However, the monthly supply figures and the total number of bags allegedly distributed over the three-year period are subject to further verification.
Police are examining how the suspected counterfeit products were transported to markets, which traders purchased them and where the proceeds from the alleged sales were transferred. Investigators are also tracing the distribution network across Kanpur, Lucknow and surrounding districts.
Suspected Supply to Major Buildings and Lucknow Airport
One of the most serious aspects of the case is the possibility that counterfeit cement reached major construction projects.
Preliminary findings reportedly suggest that the suspected material may have been supplied for the construction of several large buildings in Kanpur, projects associated with the CM Grid initiative and construction work linked to Lucknow Airport.
If confirmed, the alleged distribution could raise significant concerns about construction quality and structural safety, beyond the suspected trademark infringement and commercial fraud.
However, the extent of any supply to these projects, the quantities involved and whether the material was actually used in specific structures have yet to be independently established. Police are expected to examine supply records and other relevant documents to determine the extent of the alleged distribution.
Four-Day Deadline for Arrests
Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal has directed Panki police to arrest the absconding suspects within four days. The directive covers Neeraj Gupta, Dheeraj Gupta and their two alleged associates.
The Police Commissioner has reportedly warned that failure to make the arrests within the stipulated period could lead to departmental action after an examination of the concerned police station officer’s role.
Police teams are conducting searches at suspected locations to trace the accused. Investigators are also scrutinising the material recovered from the warehouse, dealership records and documents relating to cement supplies.
The arrests of the remaining suspects are expected to help investigators establish the alleged network’s full scale, trace its financial transactions and determine whether counterfeit cement was supplied to construction projects across the region.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the absconding suspects will need to be established through the legal process.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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