One more case registered against Raja accused of manufacturing counterfeit drugs

Police have registered one more case against the main accused, Raja alias Valliappan, in the counterfeit medicine manufacturing complaint, currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team.

The Mettupalayam police have booked Raja, Vivek, and others under section 276 (punishment for adulteration of drugs), 318 (4) (punishment for cheating), 123 (punishment for causing hurt by means of poison etc.,) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and 63, 64 of the Copy Right Act 1957 for illegal manufacturing of medicinal drugs. 

They have been booked following a complaint given by Lupin Limited of manufacturing medicines in their company’s brand name. The company has accused Raja and others of illegally manufacturing 13 drugs registered under Lupin’s name. The packaging, labelling, trademark, artwork, and batch number on medicine strips resembled Lupin brand, the police said. 

“More persons are involved in the illegal business. We have remanded Raja and Vivek to judicial custody. They will again be taken into police custody for interrogation, the police said. 

CPI protest

The Communist Party of India on Friday staged a protest in front of Drugs Control Department Office at Gorimedu to highlight the failure of the government and officials in preventing such illegal activities in Puducherry.

Led by party secretary A. M. Saleem, CPI workers raised slogans against the AINRC-BJP government and officials for allowing criminals to “thrive” in the Union Territory. The manufacturing of counterfeit drugs has serious health implications and hence the authorities are urged to ensure maximum punishment for the culprits, the CPI said.