Actionable intelligence shared by Grahak Chetna Trust played a pivotal role in enabling a large-scale, city-wide enforcement operation conducted by the Hyderabad Police under the code name “Operation Safe School.” Acting on specific intelligence inputs, along with information from other sources, Hyderabad Police launched a coordinated, multi-agency crackdown across multiple jurisdictions in the city in April. The operation focused on identified high-risk clusters like Charminar, Golconda, Rajender Nagar, Secunderabad, Jubilee Hills, Shamshabad, Malakpet etc; involved in the illegal sale of tobacco products, particularly in and around educational institutions. As part of the extensive enforcement drive, police teams carried out simultaneous raids on several hundred outlets across Hyderabad, initiating legal action against over 500 establishments. Special emphasis was placed on vendors operating close to schools and on those allegedly selling tobacco products to minors, in clear violation of prevailing laws.
During the operation, authorities seized illicit tobacco products valued at approximately INR 1.10 crore. The confiscated materials included contraband cigarettes, gutkha, and other illegal tobacco products commonly sold near schools and restricted zones. Officials noted that the scale, precision, and impact of Operation Safe School was significantly enhanced by the actionable intelligence provided by Grahak Chetna Trust, which was meticulously verified and operationalized by enforcement teams during both the planning and execution phases. The operation underscores Hyderabad Police’s commitment to safeguarding children and educational spaces, while highlighting the critical role of credible civil society partnerships in strengthening law enforcement outcomes.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Suresh Kaushik, Principal Trustee, Grahak Chetna Trust, stated, “We appreciate law enforcement for acting promptly on the information provided by Grahak Chetna Trust and for diligently pursuing these cases. There is an urgent need to counter the illicit cigarette trade and eradicate this menace through stringent measures. We remain committed to educating consumers and spreading awareness about illicit, counterfeit, and contraband goods in India. The illicit cigarette trade poses a serious and growing threat to public health and society—government revenues are being lost, legitimate businesses are being undermined, and consumers are exposed to unregulated products.”
Grahak Chetna Trust reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with enforcement agencies to curb the illegal trade of contraband goods and protect consumer interests.
