Police and the Special Investigation Team have filed a chargesheet against the operators of seven pharmaceutical firms in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district for their alleged involvement in an illicit codeine cough syrup distribution network. The action follows an investigation that uncovered suspected financial fraud exceeding Rs 12 crore and the rapid diversion of more than 400,000 bottles within two months. Two accused persons have been arrested, while authorities have announced a cash bounty of Rs 25,000 each for five other suspects who remain at large.
Inter-District Supply Lines and Rapid Diversion
The investigation began after confidential intelligence from Lucknow prompted Drug Inspector Kumar Saumitra to lodge formal complaints across Chaura, Aurai, and Bhadohi police stations on November 18, 2025. Inquiries revealed that the seven implicated firms conducted unauthorized transactions worth over Rs 10 crore through Shaily Traders, a Ranchi-based entity connected to Shubham Jaiswal of Varanasi, who is identified as the alleged kingpin of the smuggling operation. The probe focused on procurement routes, transit documentation, and large inter-district consignments, establishing that the bulk of the restricted stock moved through coordinated commercial channels across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
According to investigators, around 165,000 bottles were supplied by a firm in Azamgarh, while another firm in Sonbhadra received approximately 100,000 bottles. An additional 100,000 bottles were sourced from Varanasi-based Purna Pharma. The swift movement and offloading of such vast quantities over a two-month span formed a central pillar of the inquiry, pointing to systematic evasion of regulatory controls on controlled medicinal formulations.
Arrests Made and Bounties Declared
The first breakthrough came in February when police arrested Shailendra Tiwari, the operator of Purna Pharma and a resident of Bhikharidas Lane in Varanasi, near Madhosingh railway station in Aurai. Interrogations connected to his arrest revealed extensive irregularities, including the preparation of forged e-way bills to mask consignments. On April 13, investigators apprehended a second suspect, Vijay Gupta, from Manikpur in Chaura.
Five other operators named in the case remain absconding. Former Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Manglik had sanctioned a reward of Rs 25,000 on each of them to expedite their capture. The wanted individuals include Anshika Gupta of M/s Rajendra and Sons, Dilip Kumar of Dilip Medical Store, Aman Kumar of Gurudev Medical Agency, Om Prakash Kasera of OP Pharma, and Sanjeev Gupta of M/s Mahendra Medical Agency. Police teams continue to track their movements across neighbouring districts.
Forensic Evidence and Court Proceedings
Superintendent of Police Shubham Agarwal confirmed that the investigation stands completed and the chargesheet was submitted to the local court approximately 15 days ago. The prosecution case relies on extensive documentary and technical evidence, including seized fake e-way bills, bank transaction slips, verified call detail records, and banking surveillance footage.
The submission also incorporates forensic laboratory reports confirming the chemical composition of the seized cough syrup, alongside inspection findings filed by the Drug Inspector, Abbott, and other manufacturing entities. Officials stated that the evidentiary submission will enable the court to examine the fraudulent billing patterns and commercial transit links, while police pursue remaining legal measures to secure the arrest of the absconding operators.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
