The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the widespread illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup has escalated its crackdown by issuing look out circulars (LOCs) against alleged kingpin Shubham Jaiswal and 29 other businessmen. This decisive move aims to prevent the accused from fleeing the country as the investigation intensifies.
Massive Scale of Illegal Operations Uncovered
Sources within the SIT revealed that the look out circulars were issued after investigators discovered that the accused traders had illegally stocked and sold more than one lakh bottles of codeine cough syrup each. This quantity far exceeds the permissible limits set under stringent drug control laws, highlighting the massive scale of the illicit operation.
Preventive Measures and Legal Actions
In addition to the LOCs, the SIT has initiated proceedings to impound the passports of the accused. This step is crucial to thwart any attempts to escape abroad during the ongoing probe. The team is also collecting substantial evidence to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against three pharmaceutical manufacturing companies allegedly involved in this racket.
Key Accused and Their Roles
Among the 30 individuals named in the look out circulars are Akash Pathak, Amit Jaiswal, Divesh Jaiswal, Vinod Agarwal, Manohar Jaiswal, and Vishal Upadhayay. These businessmen are accused of assisting in generating fake bills and documents to facilitate the illegal trade. Ritvik Goyal and Pankaj Kumar, the proprietors of Ganpati Pharma who are currently absconding, have also been included in the circular.
Syndicate-Linked Operations
SIT sources indicated that the probe has uncovered that these businessmen were operating under the direction of an organised syndicate. This syndicate systematically diverted controlled cough syrup for illegal trafficking, exploiting regulatory loopholes. The investigation is now focusing on dismantling this network entirely.
Property Attachments Worth Crores
In a parallel action, the SIT has completed the verification of properties linked to the accused and has begun attachment proceedings. Acting on SIT directives, the Sonbhadra police have attached properties valued at approximately Rs 30 crore belonging to Bhola Jaiswal, the father of prime accused Shubham Jaiswal.
Separately, the Varanasi police are set to attach assets worth Rs 70 crore linked to Shubham Jaiswal. Additionally, properties of dismissed constable Alok Singh in Lucknow and Amit Singh alias Tata in Jaunpur are also slated for attachment. These measures aim to cripple the financial backbone of the illegal operation.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The SIT continues to delve deeper into the case, with investigators working round the clock to gather more evidence and identify all individuals and entities involved. The issuance of look out circulars and property attachments marks a significant phase in the probe, underscoring the government's commitment to eradicating such illegal activities.
