The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) has taken a decisive step to prevent the key accused in a massive, multi-hundred crore cough syrup smuggling racket from fleeing the country. Authorities have issued Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against the prime suspect, Shubham Jaiswal, and three of his close associates.
Four Accused Now on Immigration Watchlist
Deputy Commissioner of Police for Kashi Zone and head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Gaurav Banswal, confirmed the action. The LOCs target Shubham Jaiswal, Divesh Jaiswal (alias Sanu), Akash Pathak, and Amit Jaiswal. The Varanasi Police Commissionerate forwarded the proposal to the BoI after receiving intelligence indicating the accused had left India and were likely hiding in Dubai.
"With the issuance of these notices, all possible escape routes for the accused to flee abroad have been brought under surveillance," stated Banswal. This crackdown is part of an intensive probe into the illegal manufacture, storage, and trafficking of codeine-based cough syrup.
Rs 40 Crore Properties and Statewide Arrests
During the investigation, police uncovered a network of residential and commercial properties in Varanasi allegedly linked to Shubham Jaiswal and his associates. The estimated value of these assets is nearly Rs 40 crore. Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to Jaiswal's arrest.
Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said a comprehensive verification is underway to establish the ownership, funding sources, and legality of these properties. "The valuation process is still ongoing, and the worth of assets under scrutiny may increase as the investigation progresses. Any coercive action against the properties will be taken only after documentary evidence and ownership records are fully established," he explained.
Property details have been shared with the registry office and tehsil administration to verify land records and transaction histories. While ownership is confirmed for some, several properties remain under verification. The Varanasi Development Authority has also been roped in to check if constructions comply with sanctioned maps.
Wide-Ranging Probe and Political Fallout
The scale of the racket is vast. So far, 78 individuals have been arrested across Uttar Pradesh, and action has been initiated against 134 firms allegedly involved in the illegal trade. The case has also sparked sharp political exchanges in the ongoing winter session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, with the BJP and Samajwadi Party trading allegations.
Given the interstate spread of the operation, the state government has formed a three-member SIT headed by Inspector General (Law and Order) LR Kumar. This SIT will investigate illegal financial transactions, diversion of consignments, inter-state syndicates, suspected money laundering, and initiate extradition proceedings against accused who have fled the country.
Investigations reveal a clear division of roles: Divesh Jaiswal managed the bank accounts of the drug traders, while Amit and Akash were responsible for grooming individuals to establish fraudulent firms. Sources suggest Shubham Jaiswal is currently in Dubai. Due to the extradition treaty between India and the UAE, his movement from there is severely restricted.
