At this initial stage the court is issuing NBWs against all companies which were found to be using argemone seeds, and summons against those using other adulterants. The alleged offences are punishable under Section 16(1-A)(h) of the PFA Act, 1954, which states that if the adulterant is likely to cause death or grievous hurt (as defined by Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code) then the offence is punishable with a prison term between three years to life and a fine of Rs 5,000 or more.

Complaints were today filed against Anand Oil and General Mill, Bawana Road, Narela (accused Rishi Prakash); Kamal Oil Mill, Samaipur Badli (accused Dharam Pal); Deepak General Store, Mehtaji Nagar Market (accusedMorari Lal); Balaji Provision Store, Sector IX, R K Puram (accused Rajinder Prasad); Ram Kumar Sharma of Raigarpura, Karol Bagh; Shobha Ram of Mangolpuri; Ram Kishen of Jehangirpuri, Bharat Bhushan of Kausambipur Market in Janakpuri; Vishwamitra Singh of Masala Street, Gautampuri at ITO; Devraj of Khanjawala Road; two complaints of mustard oil and palmolein adulteration against Satpal of Rajesh Trading Company, Rajeev Nagar, Begumpur. The NBWs have been issued against the first nine accused.

Yesterday the designated court issued summons against the manufacturers of Dhara edible oils, National Dairy Development Board, and one of the proprietors of the Kanodia brand of mustard oil -- Kanhaiya Lal Kanodia.