Varanasi Pharma Owner Held for Fake Experience Certificate in Codeine Smuggling Case

Vikash Singh, the 62-year-old the owner of a pharmaceutical firm was arrested by Rohaniya police from his residence on Sunday night as part of an ongoing investigation into a codeine cough syrup smuggling case. According to police, Shubham Jaiswal and his father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, who is currently in jail, allegedly began diverting codeine-based cough syrup for illegal smuggling through the same business arrangement.

Rohaniya police station in-charge Raju Singh stated that Vikash Singh was taken into custody during the investigation of a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Sections 318(4), 336(3), 338 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions relate to offences including cheating, forgery and the use of forged documents as genuine. Police confirmed that Singh’s arrest was supported by call detail records (CDR) and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

According to investigators, Singh, a native of Prahlad Ghat under Adampur police station, allegedly prepared and issued a false two-year experience certificate claiming that Shubham Jaiswal had worked at his pharmaceutical firm, Shyambhavi Pharma. Police stated that Singh was aware that Jaiswal had never actually been employed by the company.

Investigators allege that Jaiswal subsequently used the forged experience certificate to qualify as the competent person for Shaili Traders in Ranchi. He allegedly operated the business along with other accused individuals and was involved in the movement and smuggling of large quantities of Phensedyl cough syrup to generate illegal profits.

Several cases linked to the alleged codeine cough syrup smuggling network have been registered at Rohaniya, Sarnath and Kotwali police stations in Varanasi. The investigations began gaining momentum after Sonbhadra police uncovered the illegal trade through a series of investigations launched in October 2025.

Shubham Jaiswal’s father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, was arrested in Kolkata in 2025. However, Shubham remains absconding and is believed to be hiding in Dubai.

Police investigations have also brought Shubham’s mother, wife, other relatives and several alleged members of the syndicate under scrutiny. Authorities have arrested multiple individuals allegedly associated with the network and have also invoked the Gangsters Act against members of the alleged syndicate.

As investigations progressed, police began filing chargesheets against accused persons, making arrests and initiating the attachment of properties allegedly purchased with proceeds generated through the illegal trade in codeine-based cough syrup.

In April, the Varanasi Commissionerate police intensified efforts to bring Shubham Jaiswal back to India after he was officially declared a fugitive in March. Authorities also began the process in April for securing a Red Corner Notice through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which serves as India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol-related matters. The Times of India⁠ reports that the notice was intended to help locate and provisionally arrest Shubham for extradition.

Meanwhile, Varanasi police continue to investigate the cases registered against members of the alleged codeine cough syrup smuggling syndicate and are pursuing further action against those suspected of involvement in the network.