Delhi Police Cracks Down on Medicine Diversion Racket
In a significant crackdown, the Delhi Police has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated racket that was illegally diverting government-supplied medicines intended for free distribution through public hospitals to the private market for sale. This operation has led to the detention of three individuals and exposed potential collusion with hospital staff.
Three Suspects Detained in Major Sting Operation
The police have taken into custody three men identified as Neeraj Kumar (53), Sushil (46), and Laxman Mukhia (47). Investigators are actively probing the alleged involvement of a pharmacy store in-charge at a government hospital, suggesting the racket had insider connections. The case came to light on April 2 following a crucial tip-off regarding the illicit transportation of these medicines.
Seizure of Medicines and Vehicles in Tis Hazari Raid
Acting swiftly on the information, a specialized Crime Branch team set up a trap at Rajendra Market in the Tis Hazari area. They successfully intercepted two vehicles—a tempo and a car—carrying the contraband. A thorough search resulted in the recovery of two boxes from the car and a staggering 97 boxes from the tempo. All cartons were clearly marked with "Govt Supply – Not for Sale," indicating their intended purpose for public health welfare.
Massive Quantity of Diverted Medications Uncovered
A detailed examination of the seized consignment revealed an enormous quantity of essential medicines. This included 1,18,800 tablets of Cefixime (200 mg), 19,200 tablets of Amoxicillin Potassium Clavulanate, and 6,552 injections of critical drugs such as Erythropoietin, Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Meropenem, Rabies Antiserum, and Turoctocog Alfa (NovoEight 500). These medications are vital for treating various infections and conditions, highlighting the severe impact of their diversion.
Confessions and Modus Operandi of the Racket
During interrogation, Neeraj Kumar failed to produce any valid documentation or provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the medicines. He later allegedly confessed to colluding with a pharmacy store in-charge at a government hospital to illegally procure the supplies. According to his statement, the medicines were being transported to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh for private sale. Neeraj also implicated Sushil as an accomplice in the operation and revealed that Laxman Mukhia's tempo was used for transporting the consignment.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
A formal case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 316(5) for criminal breach of trust, 318(2) for cheating, 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, and 3(5) for common intention. The seized medicines and vehicles remain in police custody as evidence. Investigators are now focused on determining the duration of the racket's operations, the specific channels used to divert the medicines, and whether additional individuals were involved in facilitating or profiting from this illegal trade.
Pattern of Similar Crimes in the Capital
This incident is not isolated. In a similar case in February, Delhi Police busted another medicine supply racket in west Delhi, arresting a 47-year-old medical store owner. That operation involved the sale of restricted drugs, including Tramadol capsules and codeine-based cough syrup, with the supplier also being apprehended. These repeated incidents underscore ongoing challenges in safeguarding public health resources.
