BARNALA, July 23 -- A surprise inspection conducted by the agriculture department at Moom village in Barnala's Mehal Kalan led to the discovery of 460 bags of illegally stored DAP fertiliser and various pesticides.

The items were found in a shop named Moom Pesticides. "The shop had been operating without proper registration. Its owner Inderjit Singh is absconding," said an official.

Following the discovery, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

According to station house officer Sherwinder Singh, the shop contained bags of DAP, fertilisers and pesticides, which were seized by officials during the raid. "The case has been filed under the Fertilizers Act, Insecticides Act and Essential Commodities Act," the SHO said.

District...