Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Karnataka Probes Suspected Fake Drug Network Supplying Bengaluru Hospitals
Karnataka officials say they found a group suspected of making and selling fake medicines.
They say cheap medicines were put into new vials and labelled as expensive imported brands.
Some of the medicines were allegedly intended for cancer treatment and intensive-care patients.
Authorities seized suspected medicines worth about ₹5 crore near Bidadi.
They later found more suspected medicines at a Bengaluru pharmacy and arrested its owner, Veeresh Kumar Jain.
Investigators are checking whether the medicines reached nearly 90 or more than 90 hospitals and clinics.
A special team is also looking for other people and tracing supplies from outside Karnataka.
Hospitals and clinics in Karnataka were told not to use the medicines named in the seizures.
The investigation is still underway, so the allegations have not yet been finally established.
Authorities seized suspected fake and expired medicines worth about ₹5 crore near Bidadi on August 18.
Investigators allege cheap bulk drugs were refilled into new vials and relabelled as premium imported medicines.
A six-member Special Investigation Team was formed on August 19 to trace the suspected interstate supply chain.
Authorities later seized more suspected counterfeit medicines from Krupa Healthcare in Bengaluru and arrested owner Veeresh Kumar Jain.
Nearly 90 or more than 90 hospitals and clinics are reportedly under investigation, while Karnataka facilities were told not to use identified medicines.
- Who
- Karnataka Health and Family Welfare officials, the Food Safety and Drug Administration, the Drugs Control Department, a six-member Special Investigation Team, and pharmacy owner Veeresh Kumar Jain are involved; investigators are also seeking a suspect identified as Prashant.
- What
- Authorities are investigating an alleged interstate network involving suspected counterfeit and expired medicines, including cancer drugs and critical-care or ICU injections.
- When
- The main raid occurred on August 18 and the SIT was formed on August 19. The supplied material inconsistently identifies the year as 2023 in one question-and-answer section and 2026 in the minister’s September 14, 2026 post context.
- Where
- The first seizure occurred at a farmhouse near the Bidadi Toll Gate, and a later seizure took place at Krupa Healthcare near Minerva Circle in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Authorities are tracing the suspected supply chain, determining whether medicines were distributed beyond Karnataka, and protecting patients from potentially counterfeit products.
Authorities’ allegations
Investigation’s qualifications
Nature of the medicines
Authorities’ allegations
Karnataka officials allege that cheap and expired medicines were repackaged and sold as costly imported brands, including medicines for cancer and intensive-care treatment.
Investigation’s qualifications
The medicines are described as suspected or alleged counterfeit products, and the investigation has not yet produced its complete public findings.
Extent of distribution
Authorities’ allegations
Authorities are examining reports that the medicines reached nearly 90 or more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru, potentially through discounted sales.
Investigation’s qualifications
The reported hospital and clinic distribution remains under investigation, so the final number of affected facilities and the medicines they received has not been established.
Interstate network
Authorities’ allegations
The SIT suspects links to manufacturing centres in Telangana and Himachal Pradesh and is investigating the possible involvement of more than 15 medical representatives.
Investigation’s qualifications
The alleged interstate connections and the identity of other suspected participants, including the person identified as Prashant, still require investigation; Prashant remains absconding.
- Initial seizure
- Suspected fake and expired medicines valued at about ₹5 crore were seized near Bidadi on August 18.
- Alleged method
- Investigators allege that inexpensive bulk formulations were transferred into fresh vials and relabelled as premium imported medicines.
- Suspected source locations
- The bulk formulations were allegedly sourced from manufacturing centres in Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.
- Investigation team
- A six-member SIT headed by a senior IPS officer was established on August 19, with officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration and Commercial Taxes departments.
- Reported reach
- The suspected medicines may have been supplied to nearly 90 hospitals and clinics; another account describes the number as more than 90.
- Later raid and arrest
- The SIT and Drugs Control Department seized additional suspected counterfeit medicines from Krupa Healthcare and arrested its owner, Veeresh Kumar Jain.
- Government response
- Karnataka circulated the suspected-drug inventory to the Union government and other states and asked the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and other central regulators for assistance.
- Safety directive
- Hospitals, nursing homes, and other clinical establishments in Karnataka were told not to administer the identified medicines.
