Karnataka Govt Hands Over Illegal Drug Racket Case to SIT: Probe Ordered Into Fake Medicines Network
The Karnataka government has handed over the investigation into a suspected interstate fake drug racket to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), intensifying the probe into allegations of counterfeit medicines being repackaged and sold under the names of reputed multinational pharmaceutical brands. The decision was taken after authorities uncovered an unauthorised pharmaceutical facility near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district.
According to officials, the facility was located at Kurubarakeranahalli near Bidadi and was raided by the Drug Enforcement Wing of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration department. Investigators suspect that medicines sourced from different states were being repackaged and relabelled before being supplied under established brand names. The alleged network has raised concerns over the safety and authenticity of medicines reaching patients.
The Karnataka government has constituted a six-member SIT to investigate the case. The team will be headed by C Vamshikrishna, Joint Commissioner of Police, West, Bengaluru City. Other members include Shiva Prakash Devaraju, Superintendent of Police; Lokesh B Jagalasur, Superintendent of Police, CID; Manjunath Reddy, Assistant Drugs Controller, Bengaluru; Namrata Hallur, Assistant Drugs Controller, Bengaluru South District; and Neha Murugi, Drugs Inspector, Bengaluru South District.
The SIT has been tasked with examining the complete supply chain and identifying those allegedly involved in the manufacturing, repackaging, transportation and distribution of the suspected counterfeit medicines. The investigation is also expected to determine how the products entered legitimate pharmaceutical channels and whether similar operations are functioning elsewhere.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had earlier highlighted the seriousness of the discovery, while officials indicated that the relabelled medicines may have reached hospitals and pharmacies across the state. Reports have also raised concerns that some of the suspected medicines could have been supplied to hospitals with intensive care units, making the investigation particularly significant from a public-health perspective.
The SIT will submit periodic progress reports to the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), who will forward them to the Director General and Inspector General of Police. The government is expected to take further action based on the findings of the investigation.
The case has also renewed concerns about pharmaceutical supply-chain monitoring and the need for stronger checks against counterfeit medicines. Authorities are likely to examine records, samples, procurement channels and distribution networks as part of the investigation. The SIT probe could help establish the scale of the alleged racket and determine whether the operation extends beyond Karnataka
