Sonbhadra Police Confiscate Rs 4.5 Crore in Properties in Major Varanasi Drug Bust
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Sonbhadra police have executed the forfeiture of immovable assets valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore in Varanasi. This action is directly connected to an ongoing investigation into a large-scale codeine cough syrup smuggling operation. The properties seized include those belonging to Bhola Prasad, the father of alleged syndicate kingpin Shubham Jaiswal.
Court-Approved Seizure Under NDPS Act
The forfeiture was formally carried out on Tuesday evening following explicit approval from the SAFEMA Court in Delhi. Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma confirmed that the assets, located in the Bharlai area of Shivpur and Jagdishpur in the Pindra region of Varanasi, were seized under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This legal framework empowers authorities to confiscate properties derived from or used in narcotics-related offenses.
Notices Served to Absconding Suspects
Simultaneously, police teams displayed official notices at the residences of three key absconding suspects:
- Shubham Jaiswal, the alleged mastermind of the smuggling syndicate.
- Nishant Kumar Gupta, also known as Ravi Gupta, from Bhadohi.
- Vijay Gupta, a resident of Kabirchaura in Varanasi.
The notices, issued pursuant to a proclamation order from the court of the Special Judge, mandate that the individuals present themselves before the authorities by Friday, February 27. The warning is clear: failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of both their movable and immovable properties. The posted notices explicitly state, "In case of non-appearance by Feb 27, action to forfeit movable and immovable properties will be taken."
Background of the Case and Previous Forfeitures
This latest enforcement action builds upon prior seizures in the same investigation. Properties worth over Rs 44 crore belonging to Bhola Prasad and another close aide, Manoj Yadav, have already been forfeited by the authorities. Bhola Prasad is currently incarcerated, having been arrested from Kolkata airport in November 2025. His son, Shubham Jaiswal, along with Nishant and Vijay Gupta, remain at large, prompting the ongoing police efforts to secure their appearance and further dismantle the financial infrastructure of the alleged smuggling network.
The case underscores a concerted effort by the Sonbhadra police to combat narcotics trafficking through not only arrests but also the strategic seizure of assets, aiming to cripple the economic foundations of such criminal enterprises.
