16th December 2025| Specialized Training Centre, Rajendra Nagar, Delhi
The role of police department in combating illicit trade requires a comprehensive approach involving enforcement, intelligence, collaboration, public awareness, and technology utilization. In an effort, to tackle the escalating problem of counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE organized an extensive training program benefiting over 60 police officers from the Delhi Police. The programme underscored the pressing importance for law enforcement agencies to remain proactive in addressing the ever-evolving challenges posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, given their far-reaching global implications.
Mr. Yogesh Malhotra, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Specialized Training Centre, Delhi Police was the chief guest at the programme. He emphasised that it is imperative for police officers to recognise the deep penetration of counterfeit and smuggled goods in the marketplace, noting that such unlawful practices not only undermine the economy but also erode the social fabric, endanger public health, and adversely affect the overall well-being of citizens.
He expressed his support for the initiative and highlighted that capacity-building programmes of this nature are critical in strengthening the skills, preparedness, and operational effectiveness of police personnel in addressing the complex challenges posed by illicit trade.
Highlighting the pivotal role of law enforcement in society, Mr. O P Thakur, Inspector, Delhi Police, emphasized that police officers must understand crimes from the perspective of victims to fully appreciate the impact on their lives. He stressed the importance of recognizing every cognizable offence, upholding the highest ethical and legal standards, and taking timely, decisive action against those who breach the law. By combining vigilance with empathy and professionalism, law enforcement cannot only enforce the law effectively but also strengthen the social fabric, deter illicit activities, and contribute to building safer and more resilient communities, he added.
Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, highlighted the multifaceted impact of counterfeiting and smuggling. He noted that these illicit activities cause substantial losses to legitimate businesses, undermine consumer confidence, and deprive the nation of critical revenue, thereby impeding overall economic growth and development. In addition, he pointed out that the health risks posed by such unregulated products are a serious concern, directly threatening the well-being of the public.
A key highlight of the programme was the ‘Interactive Session on Industry Issues and Collaborative Actions Needed with Enforcement Agencies to Counter Economic Offences’, Mr. Ashish Paul, Vice President- Corporate Affairs, ITC Ltd., stated that illicit trade has emerged as a new form of economic warfare. He explained that unauthorized products evade taxes, violate legal standards, and infiltrate sectors, including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automobiles, and agrochemicals, posing significant risks to consumers, industries, and the broader economy. He further added that the tobacco industry is a major contributor to India’s economic growth, supporting livelihoods for nearly 46 million people while generating substantial tax and foreign exchange revenues. However, the expansion of illicit and smuggled tobacco severely undermines these contributions, threatening both public revenue and lawful business operations.
Dr. Rishi Kulshresth, Advocate, High Court of Delhi, emphasized that brand value is sustained only through effective brand protection. Once such protection is weakened, brand value diminishes, making vigilance against illicit trade essential for both industry and enforcement agencies. He highlighted that, for enforcement authorities, the initial challenges in combating illicit trade include evaluating cases, identifying lookalike products, and scrutinizing raid requests with proper documentation tasks that require clear legal guidance and close cooperation with industry stakeholders.
The programme concluded with a reaffirmation of the urgent need for sustained collaboration between industry and law enforcement to effectively combat illicit trade. It was discussed that tackling counterfeiting and smuggling requires not only robust enforcement and legal frameworks but also proactive intelligence, technology adoption, and continuous capacity building initiatives.
