Jalandhar: FIR registered for obstructing government wheat inspection

Jalandhar: A case has been registered against JS Farm owner Upkar Singh Hothi after an official verification revealed an alleged shortage of around 16,000 bags of wheat at his premises. Food and Civil Supplies Department officials stated that regular inspections of government wheat stored for the 2025-26 procurement year were being conducted. However, in recent days, the farm owner allegedly refused entry to inspection teams, raising suspicion about the stock situation. According to a statement issued by the rural police, an application was received from the Jalandhar District Food and Civil Supplies Department regarding obstruction in access to the Punjab government’s central pool wheat stored at JS Farm, Sarmastpur. A total of 49,672 jute bags (approximately 24,836 quintals) of government wheat are currently stored at the site. The statement said, “On February 17th, Food and Supplies Officer Manish Kumar and his team visited the site to inspect the warehouse. However, the team was allegedly denied entry by the farm owner, Upkar Singh Hothi. It is further reported that the owner removed the security personnel deployed to protect the government wheat, raising serious concerns about the safety of the stock and impacting the lifting operation.” An FIR has been registered at Police Station Maksudan, District Jalandhar Rural, under sections 316(2), 314, 221, and 351(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jalandhar Rural Police are conducting raids, blockades, and checking operations to apprehend the accused as soon as possible.