A one-tonne consignment of rice meant for distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS) was seized from a van near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur district, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday. The operation was carried out by a team led by the Vaniyambadi Taluk Supply Officer of the Department of Civil Supplies.

Police identified the arrested individuals as Mohammed Ali, 28, V. Gopi, 32, and Siddiq Basha, 26, all residents of Vaniyambadi. They are currently in custody and facing charges related to the illegal possession and attempted smuggling of subsidized food grains.

The seized rice had been diverted from the PDS network, which supplies subsidized food to eligible households. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the source of the diversion and any possible involvement of public officials.

Legal proceedings against the accused have commenced. The court is expected to hear the case in the coming days, while the Civil Supplies Department continues its probe into the supply chain breach.