Lucknow, August 2026 : The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has uncovered an alleged organised network involved in fake billing, cross-billing and paper transactions linked to counterfeit and suspected medicines in Lucknow. Following directions from the FSDA Commissioner, an FIR has been registered at Aminabad police station against four individuals under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The accused have been identified as Ankur Awasthi, proprietor of Health Plus; Manish Bajpai, operator of MK Pharma; Govind Shukla, operator of Ram Pharma; and Ejaz Ahmad, operator of Patient Care Surgical House in Saharanpur. According to the department, the firms allegedly generated bills without any actual supply of medicines and created records showing fictitious purchases and sales.
Alleged Illegal Drug Transactions
The FSDA alleged that Health Plus, located in Aminabad, was involved in storing and recording transactions of medicines without a valid drug licence. Investigators also identified Govind Shukla as one of the key persons allegedly involved in the operation.
According to the investigation, Health Plus and Ram Pharma were operating on the same floor and were allegedly being used for illegal diversion of medicines and paper transactions. Patient Care Surgical House in Saharanpur, which has reportedly remained closed for nearly two years, was allegedly used for fictitious purchases and circulation of documents.
Rs 8.87 Crore in Purchases Under Scanner
MK Pharma has also come under investigation. The FSDA said the firm, operated by Manish Bajpai, showed purchases of medicines worth around Rs 8.87 crore during the financial year 2026.
Investigators allegedly found documents showing purchases of medicines such as Zoryl M1, Augmentin and Dexorange Syrup in the names of other firms. The department also alleged that old data from a laptop was deleted in an attempt to conceal evidence.
During verification, manufacturers and the firms concerned reportedly denied selling the medicines in question and identified the relevant batches as counterfeit.
39.20 Lakh Zoryl M1 Tablets Unaccounted For
One of the most serious findings concerns approximately 39.20 lakh Zoryl M1 tablets, for which the department said no satisfactory account could be established.
The FSDA suspects that the medicines may have been illegally diverted into the market, potentially posing a serious risk to public health. Investigators are examining allegations involving forged records, counterfeit medicines, document manipulation and possible illegal financial gains.
The four accused have been booked under Sections 111, 276, 277, 278, 318, 319, 336 and 338 of the BNS.
Earlier Cases in Lucknow and Agra
The latest action comes amid a wider FSDA crackdown on counterfeit medicines and fraudulent billing. In earlier investigations in Aminabad, FIRs were registered against eight firms and a software distributor over alleged fake billing and manipulation of records.
In July 2026, counterfeit medicines worth around Rs 21 lakh were recovered from an alleged illegal warehouse in Aminabad. Suspected medicines worth approximately Rs 1.60 lakh were also seized near the Alambagh Metro station, while action was taken in the Bakshi Ka Talab area over alleged illegal storage and transportation.
Agra has also emerged as another major focus of the investigation. The FSDA said nine FIRs had been registered against more than 15 operators following raids in areas including Kambutola, Mubarak Mahal, Shoe Market and Nawabia Market.
Investigators allegedly uncovered counterfeit and relabelled medicines, including products marketed under the names of established pharmaceutical brands, as well as alleged diversion of medicines meant for ESI and government supplies.
The department said medicines worth more than Rs 3.63 crore have so far been seized in Agra in cases involving counterfeit, illegal and government or defence-supply medicines.
Interstate Links Under Investigation
The FSDA is also examining possible interstate connections. Investigators tracing the source of counterfeit medicines recovered from an illegal warehouse in Aminabad have reportedly reached Rajasthan. FIRs have also been registered against individuals allegedly involved in the supply chain.
Authorities are simultaneously investigating an alleged illegal manufacturing unit in Dehradun suspected of producing counterfeit medicines of different brands.
FSDA Commissioner Dr Roshan Jacob has directed drug inspectors across Uttar Pradesh to maintain close surveillance over traders, wholesale firms and agents linked to interstate medicine networks.
Officials have said that businesses found guilty will face cancellation of their licences in addition to criminal proceedings. The broader objective is to trace counterfeit, substandard, relabelled and illegally stored medicines back to their source and dismantle the supply chain.
