Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Police have stepped up action against an illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade by issuing lookout notice against the key accused Shubham Jaiswal, who carries a reward of Rs 50,000, and three others, officials said on Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Gaurav Banswal said the reward on Jaiswal was initially fixed at Rs 25,000 but was doubled after his continued evasion. Lookout notices were issued on Monday against Jaiswal and the three others — Akash Pathak, Amit Jaiswal and Divesh Jaiswal — to prevent them from fleeing the country.
The licences of several firms linked to Ranchi-based Shaili Traders have been cancelled, during the course of the investigation, he said.
According to the probe, Divesh Jaiswal and Amit Jaiswal allegedly helped Shubham Jaiswal by generating bills using bogus firms and forged documents.
Varanasi police is also identifying illegally acquired properties belonging to Shubham Jaiswal, his associates and family members in connection with the cough syrup smuggling case, and the assets will be seized soon, Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal told reporters.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted in the case is continuously carrying out its probe and collecting evidence related to the modus operandi adopted by the accused in the illegal trafficking of cough syrup, he said.
As per PTI, Agarwal added that the evidence is being presented before the court, following which the court has also refused to grant any relief to the accused.
Read also: Manufacturers in the Dock: UP STF Set to Name Pharma Firms in Multi-Crore Codeine Syrup Scam