Lucknow: The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has uncovered an alleged network involving fictitious drug purchases and suspicious supply transactions in the Aminabad area of Lucknow. The investigation has revealed allegations that drug purchases worth crores of rupees were recorded on paper without actual supply, while fake invoices were allegedly prepared and transactions were shown in the name of a firm that had been closed for nearly two years. An FIR has been registered at Aminabad police station against four firm operators on the basis of a complaint filed by the department, and the investigation is underway.
According to the preliminary FSDA investigation, the accused include Ankur Awasthi, operator of Health Plus; Manish Bajpai, operator of MK Pharma; Govind Shukla, operator of Ram Pharma; and Ejaz Ahmad of Patient Care Surgical House in Saharanpur. The department is examining the drug transactions, bank payments, invoices and stock records linked to the four firms.
Alleged Fictitious Supply Chain Created Through Cross-Billing
Investigators suspect that cross-billing and paper-based bank transactions were allegedly used to make questionable drugs appear to be part of a legitimate supply chain. According to the allegations, invoices were exchanged between different firms to create records showing the purchase and sale of medicines.
The arrangement allegedly made the transactions appear genuine on paper while the actual movement of medicines remained questionable. Investigators are now determining how long such transactions had allegedly been taking place and how much drug stock was shown as purchased and sold through the firms.
Bank account transactions are also being matched with invoices and stock records to establish whether the financial trail corresponds with the claimed movement of medicines.
Purchases Recorded in the Name of a Closed Firm
One of the significant findings concerns Patient Care Surgical House in Saharanpur. According to the department, the firm had been closed for nearly two years, yet drug purchases were recorded in its name.
The finding has raised questions about whether the firm was allegedly being used only for paper transactions and diversion of drug supplies. The department is examining when the firm ceased operations, who had access to its records and how purchases could have been recorded in its name after it had reportedly stopped functioning.
Investigators are also examining alleged paper diversions involving Health Plus and Ram Pharma. Officials are checking the suppliers from whom the firms claimed to have purchased medicines, the buyers to whom the drugs were allegedly sold and the actual destination of the stock.
MK Pharma’s ₹8.87 Crore Purchases Under Scrutiny
The records of MK Pharma have also come under scrutiny. According to the investigation, the firm showed drug purchases worth approximately ₹8.87 crore in 2026. However, records reportedly failed to account for around 39.20 lakh units of Joril M-1.
The discrepancy has prompted the department to examine purchase invoices, stock registers, supplier records and related financial transactions. Investigators are trying to determine whether the quantities shown in the records were actually supplied and where the medicines allegedly went.
The department is also seeking verification from the concerned manufacturers and suppliers to establish the authenticity of the transactions.
Joril M-1, Augmentin and Dexorange Invoices Questioned
During the investigation, allegedly fake invoices related to Joril M-1, Augmentin and Dexorange syrup were also detected. The department reportedly approached the respective manufacturers to verify the invoices and batch numbers.
The manufacturers allegedly denied selling the medicines mentioned in the questioned documents. The corresponding batches were also reportedly found to be fake during verification.
The findings have expanded the investigation beyond suspected financial irregularities. Officials are now trying to establish where the medicines actually originated, who allegedly prepared the fake invoices and batch details, and how the products entered the distribution chain.
Investigation Into Wider Network Underway
Following registration of the FIR, the investigation has been expanded to examine the complete financial and supply chain network. Police and FSDA officials are scrutinising bank accounts, digital records, invoices, stock registers and documents relating to the movement of medicines.
Investigators are also examining whether other wholesalers, retailers, suppliers or firms were connected to the alleged network. The authorities are attempting to establish whether the questioned transactions were isolated incidents or part of a larger system involving multiple businesses.
The final extent of the alleged fraud, the actual value of the medicines involved and the roles of other possible participants will become clear only after the investigation and verification of records are completed. For now, the four firm operators named in the FIR are accused in the case, while authorities continue to examine the legality of the transactions and the suspected drug supply network.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
