Fake cancer drugs sold at 50% discount, 90+ Bengaluru hospitals under scanner
A suspected counterfeit medicine racket involving cancer drugs and other critical medicines has come under the scanner in Bengaluru, with investigators probing whether fake or repackaged medicines were supplied to more than 90 hospitals and clinics across the city.
A joint investigation by the Bengaluru Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Drugs Control Department has led to the arrest of pharmacy owner Veeresh Kumar Jain, who is suspected of being part of the network.
The probe intensified after officials raided Krupa Healthcare near Minerva Circle and recovered a large quantity of suspected counterfeit medicines. Investigators suspect the network supplied cancer medicines, life-saving drugs and ICU injections to hospitals, clinics and medical shops, allegedly offering them at discounts of nearly 50 per cent.EXPIRED MEDICINES ALLEGEDLY REPACKAGED
According to investigators, the racket allegedly involved procuring medicines at low prices, rebranding them under different names and selling them at higher rates.
Authorities also suspect that expired medicines were repackaged in fresh containers and fitted with counterfeit labels, some allegedly resembling the branding of established pharmaceutical companies.
The Krupa Healthcare premises is suspected to have been used as a storage and distribution point, from where the medicines were allegedly sent to medical shops, hospitals and clinics.
Investigators are examining whether the suspected racket had an interstate network. More than 15 medical representatives are suspected of facilitating the transportation or distribution of the medicines.
Vamsi Krishna, Joint Commissioner of Police (West) and head of the SIT, said the full extent of the network was yet to be established.
Police are examining bank transactions, purchase and sale records and other documents seized during the investigation to trace the movement of the medicines as well as the flow of money.SUSPECTED KINGPIN ABSCONDING
Police suspect Veeresh Kumar had been operating the firm for around five years. Investigators have also alleged that he was linked to Prashant, whom they have identified as a key accused and suspected kingpin of the network.
Prashant is currently absconding, and police teams are searching for him. Veeresh Kumar is currently the only person arrested in the case.RS 5 CRORE IN SUSPECTED FAKE MEDICINES SEIZED
The investigation is linked to an August 18 raid at a farmhouse in the Bidadi and Dodderi areas of Bengaluru South district, where authorities seized suspected counterfeit medicines worth around Rs 5 crore.
The seizure also included fake invoices, injection-filling equipment and counterfeit labels. Following the raid, investigators expanded the probe and conducted coordinated searches at more than 10 locations across Karnataka, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
The investigation subsequently led authorities to Krupa Healthcare and Veeresh Kumar.
The SIT and Drugs Control Department are now working to identify hospitals and other medical establishments that may have received the suspected counterfeit medicines and determine the full scale of the operation.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Sep 14, 2026 02:28 IST
