Two arrested in Varanasi for illegally selling codeine-based cough syrup
Varanasi (UP) (PTI): Police in Varanasi have arrested two men for the illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrup, officials said on Monday.
The arrested duo has been identified as Vishal Kumar Jaiswal and Badal Arya, DCP (Kashi zone) Gaurav Banswal said.
The probe revealed that Shubham Jaiswal of Shaili Traders obtained a drug licence using forged documents and then used it to purchase and sell large quantities of codeine-based cough syrup through various medical firms for recreational drug use.
Banswal said that during interrogation, Vishal Kumar and Arya revealed that they met Amit Jaiswal, the proprietor of Shrihari Pharma and Surgical Agency, and Shubham Jaiswal through DSA Pharma, Varanasi.
During the meeting, the accused were lured with the promise of making quick money to join the cough syrup business, which they agreed to.
The Jaiswals then helped the duo obtain a drug licence by preparing forged documents, the DCP said.
The accused said Shubham Jaiswal, through Divesh Jaiswal, paid them a monthly commission ranging between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000.
The money received in their accounts was quickly transferred to Shaili Traders' account. Divesh Jaiswal had complete access to their bank account details. He would ask for the OTP when transferring the money.
They conducted business worth approximately Rs 7 crore within a year, the officer said.
Vishal Kumar’s firm Hari Om Pharma purchased 4,18,000 bottles of cough syrup from Shaili Traders, which were then sold for over Rs 5 crore, Banswal said.
Arya's firm Kal Bhairav Traders purchased 1,23,000 bottles of cough syrup from Shaili Traders, which were then sold for over Rs 2 crore, he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
