Nagpur: In a major crackdown on the illegal cotton seed trade, the Nagpur District Agriculture Department’s Quality Control Flying Squad, along with police officials, seized suspected unauthorized HTBT cotton seeds and a transport truck collectively worth over Rs 51 lakh during a joint operation in Nagpur.
Acting on confidential information, the agriculture department conducted a raid on May 13, 2026, at a warehouse located in the Octroi Free Zone, Godown No. 22/2, Wardhman Nagar, Nagpur, reportedly owned by Santosh Rai. During the operation, officials caught workers red-handed unloading 58 plastic bags containing suspected HTBT cotton seeds from an Ashok Leyland Truck MH-40-AK-3993.
According to officials, the seized stock contained suspicious cotton seed packets branded as “Sukoon 15 BG II” with Lot Number 6030 (1991), allegedly manufactured by Sukoon Seeds Pvt. Ltd.. Authorities recovered a total of 2,907 packets of suspected cotton seeds, each weighing 475 grams, amounting to approximately 13.80 quintals. The estimated value of the seized seed stock is Rs 26.19 lakh.
In addition to the seeds, officials also confiscated the truck allegedly being used for illegal transportation, valued at around Rs 25 lakh. The total seized property amounts to Rs 51.19 lakh. The entire seizure was carried out in the presence of panch witnesses and later handed over to police authorities for further legal proceedings.
Following the raid, a criminal case was registered at Lakadganj Police Station against Sukoon Seeds Pvt. Ltd. and Vikrambhai Chaudhary alias Vikram Jat under provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966, Seeds Control Order, 1983, Maharashtra Cotton Seeds Act, 2009, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Further police investigation is underway.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior officials including Kumar Ashirwad, Sunil Borkar, Umesh Ghatge, Pravin Deshmukh, and Ravindra Manohare. The raid was jointly executed by agriculture quality control inspectors and officials in coordination with officers from Lakadganj Police Station.
Speaking on the issue, Ravindra Manohare clarified that only genetically modified seeds approved by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) are legally permitted for production and sale in the country. He stated that Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBT) cotton seeds have not yet received commercial approval from either the Central Government or GEAC.
Officials warned that illegal cultivation of HTBT cotton could result in excessive herbicide usage, posing serious threats to biodiversity, environmental sustainability, soil fertility, human health, and food security. Authorities further revealed that some fake companies and private operators illegally manufacture such seeds in other states and smuggle them into Maharashtra for covert sale through agents operating in cotton-growing villages.
To prevent illegal transportation and sale of unauthorized seeds during the Kharif season, joint inspection drives are being conducted by the agriculture and police departments across the region. Authorities have also intensified surveillance and border checkpoints to curb smuggling activities. Officials warned that strict legal action would continue against individuals and companies involved in the illegal trade of HTBT cotton seeds under provisions of the Seeds Act, Essential Commodities Act, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
