Hyderabad, Oct. 31 -- Six rice traders in Hyderabad have been booked for hoarding after officials found large stocks, including diverted Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, in godowns hidden behind their retail shops. Some of them also own rice mills, which officials suspect were used to siphon PDS rice into the open market.

According to The Times of India, Saroornagar police registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against the six after the Civil Supplies Department inspected 20 wholesale outlets. Officials said the traders ran shops at the front while the godowns at the rear held substantial quantities of rice. The total quantity is still being assessed.

K Ram Kumar, a superintendent of police-rank officer attached to the depart...