kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The sudden police raid in Rabindra Sarani uncovered a stash of counterfeit branded shoes and bags being sold as originals, sparking alarm among shoppers and merchants alike. Officers from the Bhowbazar police station carried out the operation after receiving information that two shops were retailing imitation products bearing the logo of a well-known Uttar Pradesh-based brand; goods estimated to be worth several lakhs were seized and the shop owners served notices as the probe began. 

Police said the tip-off led them to conduct an on-the-spot inspection, where the vendors were caught red-handed. The confiscated items included large quantities of shoes and bags, stacked in display racks and storage areas, which investigators believe were supplied through unlawful channels. Authorities are now tracing the supply chain to determine where the counterfeit merchandise originated and whether larger networks are involved. 

Local residents and regular customers expressed shock at the scale of the deception, noting that inexpensive branded items have long circulated in various city markets but that this haul suggested a more organised trade. Traders in nearby lanes acknowledged that cheap branded goods are a common lure for bargain hunters, but also warned that many buyers are unaware of the legal and safety issues tied to counterfeit products. The police action has been welcomed by consumer rights advocates, who argue that such enforcement helps protect both buyers and legitimate businesses. 

The Bhowbazar police said they have served notices to the two shopkeepers and taken the seized stock into custody while legal steps proceed. Investigators will examine invoices, consignments and travel routes to establish whether the goods were smuggled in from outside the state. Officials added that further arrests could follow if evidence links the traders to larger syndicates or repeat offences. Meanwhile, shoppers who purchased similar items in recent weeks have been urged to report suspicious products and provide receipts to help the inquiry. 

The episode has reignited discussion on the need for stricter market checks and consumer awareness in Kolkata’s commercial quarters. While inexpensive branded lookalikes remain widespread, the recent raid underscores the authorities’ willingness to act when complaints surface—sending a cautionary message to sellers and buyers alike about the legal and economic cost of passing off counterfeit goods as originals.