Large stock of counterfeit drugs seized from private facility in Bengaluru
Investigators suspect that cheap, rebranded drugs were bought and sold under different brand names. Expired drugs were allegedly collected, transferred to new containers and repackaged using forged labels and packaging material.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising police and anti-narcotics inspectors, formed to probe the fake drug racket busted near Bidadi recently, raided a private facility of Krupa Healthcare near Minerva Circle on Saturday and recovered a large stock of suspected counterfeit drugs.
This raid was part of simultaneous raids at 10 locations in six states including Karnataka, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
The owner of Krupa Healthcare, Veeresh Kumar Jain, who is said to be a former business partner of fugitive alleged racket leader Prashanth, has been arrested in connection with the case.
Investigators suspect counterfeit cancer drugs, life-saving drugs and injections used in intensive care units (ICUs) have been supplied to hospitals, clinics and medical stores. According to investigators, the drugs may have been supplied to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru. The team examines seized lot numbers and records to identify any facilities that received suspected counterfeit drugs. We have seized documents related to purchase and distribution which are being verified, said a senior officer overseeing the operation.
The network came to light during a raid on a farm in Bidadi on August 18. During the operation, authorities seized suspected counterfeit drugs worth around ₹ 4.91 crore along with fake currency notes, injection filling equipment and forged labels.
Officials found that Veeresh Kumar Jain, running his business for the past five years, had close ties with Prashanth, who investigators identified as a key accused in the network of suspected drug counterfeiters.
How did it work?
Investigators suspect that cheap, rebranded drugs were bought and sold under different brand names. Expired drugs were allegedly collected, transferred to new containers and repackaged using forged labels and packaging material. Even drugs associated with reputed pharmaceutical companies were allegedly falsely labeled before distribution.
The suspected counterfeit medicines were allegedly stored at the Minerva Circle warehouse before being supplied to hospitals, clinics and medical shops in Bengaluru and surrounding areas.
Medicines were reportedly supplied to hospitals at discounts of around 50%.
A network of more than 15 medical representatives is also suspected of being involved in the distribution of drugs to hospitals and pharmacies.
The seized drugs were sent to laboratories to determine their chemical composition, authenticity and quality. Batch numbers of drugs suspected to be fake have reportedly been blocked on the Karnataka FDA portal as a precaution.
Authorities are now tracking the distribution chain to identify hospitals, clinics and health stores that may have received the suspected counterfeit drugs.
Hunt for people
Meanwhile, the hunt is on for the alleged kingpin Prashanth, who is currently on the run. His interrogation is expected to provide more details about the alleged racket, including its financial transactions, supply network and distribution channels.
Published – 13 Sep 2026 01:00 IST