The accused allegedly filled empty vials with anti-fungal medicine worth ₹ 100 and sold them as “life-saving” cancer drugs across India, China, and the US for ₹ 1 to 3 lakh per vial. The operation reportedly lasted over two years, during which the accused sold more than 7,000 such injections.
In a TOI report, Special commissioner Shalini Singh said a crime branch probe revealed how people from various fields had formed a nexus to target patients, not just from Delhi and neighbouring states but other countries too.
A key player, she said, was Viphil Jain from Baghpat, who ran the show in Moti Nagar. Having spent his childhood in Seelampur, he quit studies before finishing Class X. “After failing to finish basic education, he started dedicating his time at a medical store in Seelampur as a store boy. Initially, he started supplying medicines from wholesale markets to local medical stores,” Singh said.
Key Players and Operations
The mastermind behind this illicit scheme was Viphil Jain from Baghpat, who, despite lacking formal education, orchestrated a sophisticated network. Jain, along with his associates Parvez and Neeraj Chauhan, capitalized on the high cost of cancer medications by refilling empty vials with Fluconazole, an anti-fungal drug.Neeraj Chauhan, a graduate with a background in medical transcription and management in oncology departments, joined forces with Jain to expand the operation. With his expertise, Chauhan attracted clients with promises of affordable “chemo injections,” even running a medical tourism company to target international patients seeking cancer treatment in India.Parvez, an ex-pharmacist at a reputed cancer hospital in Delhi, played a crucial role in sourcing empty vials for the operation. He, along with Komal Tiwari and Abhinay Kohli, employees of a Delhi-based cancer hospital, provided empty vials to Jain at a significant profit margin.
“Parvez earlier worked in a mixing unit of chemotherapy medicines at a reputed hospital, where the customer or the hospital used to give him medicines and injections for mixing with other medicines. He engaged Komal and Abhinay Kohli, working with reputed hospitals, to provide empty vials,” the officer added.
Police Action and Seizures
The Delhi Police, after an extensive two-year operation, arrested seven individuals, including Suraj from West Bengal, who was the caretaker of the flats used for manufacturing the fake drugs. During the operation, more than 7,000 fake injections were sold, with each vial fetching between ₹ 1 to 3 lakh.
Authorities seized three cap-sealing machines, a heat gun, 197 empty vials, ₹ 50,000, and $1,000 in cash from the manufacturing site. Additionally, 519 empty bottles and 864 packaging boxes were recovered from Neeraj Chauhan’s flat in Gurugram.
Legal Action
The accused have been booked under charges of selling adulterated drugs, cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the operation and bring all perpetrators to justice.
This disturbing discovery underscores the importance of stringent regulatory measures to prevent such illicit activities that endanger the lives of innocent patients seeking treatment. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale and distribution of medicines.
(With inputs from TOI)
