Fake Blood Pressure Medicine Case: 3 Accused Get 7-Day Remand as Crime Branch Uncovers Interstate Network

Three accused in the fake blood pressure medicine case were remanded for seven days after the Ahmedabad Crime Branch told court it was probing an interstate counterfeit drug network.

Darsheel Sanghvi, Devendra Yadav and Umang Rastogi were produced before the Ahmedabad Metro Court, where the Crime Branch sought 10 days of remand. The court granted seven days.

Crime Branch Probes Interstate Network

Government lawyer Yadukant K Vyas told the court that the case involved an interstate network and investigators needed to conduct inquiries in other states.

The agency is examining whether the accused supplied the seized medicines or other counterfeit drugs elsewhere. Investigators are also checking whether fake medicines were stored at additional locations.

Police are attempting to identify absconding accused and establish who allegedly manufactured the counterfeit medicines, where they were produced and how they were distributed.

Gujarat, UP And Rajasthan Links Under Probe

According to the Crime Branch, the alleged network extends across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Investigators are examining where the fake packaging material was obtained, where the medicines were packed and sealed, and what machinery may have been used in the process.

A similar case has also been registered against two accused in Maharashtra, adding another interstate link to the investigation.

Distributor Denies Knowledge Of Fake Medicines

The lawyer representing the distributor told the court that an investigation had already been conducted at JB Pharma and that the medicine strip was found to be counterfeit when sent to a laboratory in Vadodara.

The distributor had allegedly purchased 2,700 strips with a valid bill. His lawyer argued that medicines had been purchased from the same source previously and that the accused had no knowledge that the latest batch was fake.

The defence also told the court that the distributor had informed police about the persons to whom the medicines were supplied and was willing to co-operate with the investigation.

JB Pharma Reportedly Alerted Authorities

The defence submitted that JB Pharma had informed the Food and Drugs Department after the fake medicines came to light.

One of the accused's lawyers also argued that his client was merely an employee of the company and had no role in manufacturing or distributing counterfeit medicines.

The Crime Branch is now expected to use the seven-day remand to trace the alleged supply chain, identify other accused and determine the source and manufacturing process of the fake medicines.