SIT to probe Rs 5 crore counterfeit drug seizure: Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader
The team will trace interstate suppliers and hospital buyers after investigators found fake and expired drugs were relabelled as premium brands.
- On Tuesday, Health Minister U.T. Khader announced a Special Investigation Team will probe the seizure of counterfeit medicines worth over Rs 5 crore near Bidadi, stating the racket has interstate links.
- Preliminary investigation revealed an interstate network procuring cheap bulk drugs from Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, then refilling and relabeling them as premium imported brands at the Bidadi facility.
- The six-member SIT comprises police, Drugs Control Department, and Commercial Taxes Department officials investigating the network's supply of counterfeit medicines and ICU injections to hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru.
- Khader requested support from Union Health Minister JP Nadda and central regulatory agencies; the Centre may order a CBI probe given the seizure's value exceeds Rs 5 crore.
- Karnataka directed all hospitals to cease using seized medicines, vowing to dismantle the network and ensure those responsible face the harshest punishment under law, with Khader calling the incident an "eye-opener.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Bengaluru healthcare firm owner held in interstate fake drug racket
Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader announced the busting of a major interstate counterfeit drug racket, leading to an arrest and an ongoing investigation into the suspected supply of fake medicines to hospitals. The racket involved procuring cheap drugs, refilling them, and relabelling them as premium brands, with seizures worth Rs 5 crore. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the widespread network.
aninews.in
5 held in Karnataka fake drug racket case, SIT traces prime accused abroad for extradition
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Karnataka Police has taken five persons into custody in connection with the fake drug racket case and traced the prime accused, identified as Prashant, to a country in the South Caucasus region of Western Asia, with steps underway to secure his extradition to India, officials said.
Prashant, the kingpin of the Karnataka counterfeit drug racket, is stranded in Azerbaijan. His visa expired on September 9th, and he is currently in the custody of the customs authorities there. Due to the lack of an extradition treaty between India and Azerbaijan, the SIT cannot bring him back. He will have to resolve his visa issues on his own and return to India.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
