Pune: Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale’s Name Misused to Sell Fake Bakarwadi; FIR Registered
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 17th April 2025: In a case that has raised eyebrows across the city, the name of Pune’s iconic brand, Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, was allegedly misused to manufacture and sell fake bakarwadi both online and offline. The product, which has become synonymous with the city’s culinary identity, was being falsely marketed under a similar name.
Following an investigation, a case has been registered at Vishrambaug Police Station against the owner of Chitale Sweet Home, located in Sadashiv Peth, on charges of fraud and misrepresentation.
The complaint in the matter was filed by Nitin Dalvi (35), a resident of Dhankawadi, who has been working as a personal assistant with Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale for the past four years. Based on his complaint, the Pune Police have booked Pramod Prabhakar Chitale, the owner of Chitale Sweet Home, under Sections 318(2) and 350 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, as well as relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
According to Pune Police officials, the case was officially registered on Wednesday following a detailed inquiry.
Police sources said the issue surfaced after regular customers of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale began complaining that the taste of the bakarwadi they purchased had changed. This prompted the complainant and his team to procure samples from the market. Upon inspection, they noticed significant differences between the original bakarwadi produced at the official Chitale Bandhu factory and the counterfeit versions being sold.
Further examination revealed that the fake packets bore the label Chitale Sweet Home and described the product as “Puneri Special Bakarwadi” in Marathi. Suspecting foul play, the company launched an internal probe and approached the authorities.
Indraneel Chitale, a partner at Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, formally lodged a complaint stating that Chitale Sweet Home was misleading customers by using packaging that falsely displayed Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale’s official email ID, customer care number, manufacturing details, and contact information—giving the impression that the product was manufactured by the original brand.
The police verified the allegations and subsequently registered the case. Further investigation is underway.
