Interstate fake medicine racket: K’taka SIT intensifies probe, plans to take key accused into custody
Bengaluru, Sep 15 (IANS) The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified its probe into the alleged fake pharmaceuticals interstate racket and is planning to take key accused Veeresh Kumar Jain into custody for further questioning. Jain is currently in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
Investigators suspect that Jain was the key figure who planned and monitored the entire fake medicine racket and allegedly directed Prashant and others involved in its operations.
The SIT is seeking his custody to gather more information about the source of the counterfeit medicines and the network involved in their manufacture, repackaging and distribution.
The investigators are expected to question Jain about where the medicines were procured, how they were repackaged and supplied, and the network through which they reached medical shops and hospitals.
The probe has so far indicated that counterfeit tablets, syrups and other medicines were allegedly supplied to more than 80 medical shops and private hospitals across Karnataka. Several establishments in Bengaluru are also under the scanner of investigators.
The gang is suspected to have generated an annual turnover of more than Rs 15 crore through the alleged illegal trade. The SIT is also investigating whether the racket had links beyond Karnataka and whether counterfeit medicines were supplied to other parts of the country.
The investigation is also focussing on the role of Prashant and other accused persons allegedly involved in the racket. Officials are attempting to identify more members of the network based on information gathered during the investigation.
As part of the probe, the SIT and the Drugs Control Department conducted coordinated raids at 10 locations across Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana on Friday.
Around 80 to 100 officials and staff participated in the searches, which targeted offices, properties and other premises linked to companies allegedly involved in manufacturing, repackaging and supplying counterfeit medicines.
In Bengaluru, officials searched the premises of a pharmaceutical company near Minerva Circle, close to Lalbagh. Investigators are examining medicines allegedly sourced from different locations before being repackaged and supplied through the network.
The probe has also reportedly indicated an international dimension, with investigators examining allegations that counterfeit labels used on the medicines were sourced from foreign locations.
The fake pharmaceuticals racket came to light around two weeks ago following its alleged operation in Dodderi on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Ramanagara district. Since then, investigators have been working to trace the complete supply chain, including the sources of the medicines, manufacturing and repackaging facilities, distributors, medical shops and hospitals that allegedly received the supplies.
The SIT is now expected to seek Jain’s custody through a body warrant and question him further to uncover the wider network and identify others allegedly involved in the racket.
–IANS
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