Jammu: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jammu Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable property worth approximately Rs 1 crore in connection with the illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) “Cocrex” by M/s Vidit Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. The attached property consists of industrial land located in Panipat, Haryana.
The action has been taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The case was initially registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu, alleging that the Managing Partner of M/s Vidit Healthcare, Neeraj Bhatia, along with Niket Kansal and others, had illegally diverted CBCS for use as an intoxicant/drug.
Investigation Reveals Extensive Diversion and Profits
ED’s probe revealed that M/s Vidit Healthcare supplied CBCS to multiple entities during 2018-2024, primarily including:
- M/s S S Industries
- M/s Kansal Industries
- M/s Nouveta Pharma
- M/s Kansal Pharmaceuticals
- N.K Pharmaceuticals
All these entities were reportedly controlled and operated by Niket Kansal, based in Delhi. Investigators found that approximately Rs 16.74 crore worth of CBCS was illegally diverted during this period. Part of this diversion reached Raees Ahmed Bhat of Srinagar, from whom the NCB seized large quantities of CBCS on January 14, 2024.
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The ED further established that M/s Vidit Healthcare earned gross profits of around Rs 2.92 crore from sales of CBCS to Niket Kansal’s companies, which are being treated as proceeds of crime under PMLA.
Property Attachment and Search Operations
Earlier, on February 13, 2025, ED conducted search operations at the residential premises of Neeraj Bhatia and Niket Kansal. During these raids, authorities seized:
- Cash amounting to Rs 32 lakh
- Jewellery worth Rs 1.61 crore
Following these operations, the ED also provisionally attached the industrial land in Panipat, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore.
Ongoing Investigation
The ED investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining business transactions, banking records, and other financial documents. Officials have indicated that the case may see further arrests and property attachments as the probe progresses.
Experts note that this action underlines the ED’s stringent monitoring of illicit drug trade and associated money laundering activities. Such enforcement measures are seen as sending a strong message against illegal drug distribution and financial crimes in India.
