Full Breakdown
Karnataka Counterfeit Drug Kingpin Arrested at Bengaluru Airport
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Arrest of Alleged Ringleader
Police from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) detained the alleged mastermind of a multi-state counterfeit-medicine network at Kempegowda International Airport on Monday morning, shortly after his arrival from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The suspect—identified in reports as R. Prashanth, Prashant Rajanbabu or Prashanth Rajan Babu—had been missing since the August 18 raid that uncovered the racket. He was produced before magistrate Shishir R., who remanded him in police custody until October 7, 2026, for further interrogation.
Background & Context
On August 18, 2024, Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) raided an unlicensed facility near Bidadi and seized counterfeit medicines, fake invoices, injection-filling equipment and forged labels valued at roughly INR5 crore. Investigators say the network refilled inexpensive bulk drugs from other states into new vials and relabelled them as premium imported brands, including Pfizer’s. The counterfeit products were supplied to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru at about 50 % discount, raising patient-safety concerns.
Key Figures & Groups
- R. Prashanth / Prashant Rajanbabu – alleged kingpin, arrested at Bengaluru airport.
- Veeresh Kumar Jain – proprietor of Krupa Healthcare, arrested in September.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) – six-member unit formed on August 20.
- Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) – regulator that cancelled and suspended multiple licences.
- Pfizer India – issued a statement confirming cooperation with authorities.
Timeline
- August 18 – FSDA raid uncovers counterfeit medicines worth ~INR5 crore; suspect R. Prashanth goes missing.
- August 20 – Karnataka government constitutes the SIT.
- September 11 – Veeresh Kumar Jain arrested after a raid on his pharmacy.
- Monday, late September 2026 – R. Prashanth arrested at Bengaluru airport.
- September 22 – Pfizer confirms cooperation with authorities.
- October 7, 2026 (scheduled) – Court date for further custody hearing.
Data & Statistics
- Seized counterfeit medicines valued at INR4.91 crore to INR5.05 crore.
- Largest single seizure: 5,640 vials labelled as Cefiavigent 2.5 injections, valued at ?INR3.38 crore.
- Alleged distribution to >90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru.
- FSDA cancelled 16–17 licences and suspended 8 (varying reports).
Official Statements & Responses
Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader described the operation as an interstate racket that used cheap bulk drugs, refilled them into new vials and mis-labelled them as premium imports, targeting ICU patients.
Pfizer’s India office said it has been working with authorities since the matter was raised, removing counterfeit batches from the market and providing technical information to aid the investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was taken for a medical examination and later brought to the Bengaluru City police commissioner’s office, where the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recorded his preliminary statement.” — police office.
- “We have been working with the authorities for the past month since the matter of counterfeit medicines was brought to our attention,” — Pfizer.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Suspect’s name: Sources use R. Prashanth, Prashant Rajanbabu, and Prashanth Rajan Babu.
- Licence cancellations: The Hindu and Hindustan Times cite 16 cancelled licences; ThePrint mentions 17. Both agree on 8 suspensions.
- Arrest date of Veeresh Kumar Jain: Reported as September 11 by Hindustan Times and September 12 by The Hindu.
What’s Next
The magistrate’s order keeps the kingpin in custody until October 7, 2026, when further judicial proceedings are expected. The SIT is expected to file additional charges based on ongoing interrogations and laboratory analysis of the seized medicines.
