Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Adityanath claims arrested codeine syrup suppliers have Samajwadi Party links

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. File Pic

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday claimed that some of those arrested for allegedly supplying illegal codeine-based cough syrup have links to the Samajwadi Party, reported news agency PTI.

"Everyone knows that every ‘mafia' group has ties with the Samajwadi Party," Adityanath told reporters ahead of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

The chief minister said the Legislative Assembly is unlikely to transact any business on Friday due to the sudden death of an MLA. However, the government will respond to questions in the Legislative Council or if the issue is raised outside the House.

"Initial investigations have revealed that some of the men arrested by the STF or the UP Police have links to the Samajwadi Party. The involvement of the Samajwadi Party, which already has a tarnished reputation, will also come to light as a state-level SIT is monitoring the entire case. Officers from the UP Police and the Food and Drug Safety Administration (FDSA) are part of it," Adityanath said, reported PTI.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alleged that a massive scam involving the illegal supply of codeine-based cough syrups, worth thousands of crores, originated in Uttar Pradesh, and accused the BJP government of shielding those involved.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters after a meeting of SP MLAs, Yadav claimed the racket started from the "area of Pradhan Sansad" (Varanasi MP), indirectly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per PTI, he said that several important issues to be raised in the upcoming Assembly session were discussed, with the alleged codeine cough syrup racket being a major concern.

Taking a jibe at Yadav on Friday, Adityanath said the SP chief was "cleaning the mirror to remove dust from his face."

"Details of illegal transactions will come to light. Let the investigation proceed. The truth will be revealed to everyone," he said.

The UP chief minister said codeine phosphate, used in the manufacture of cough syrup containing codeine, falls under the NDPS Act and is regulated by the Central Narcotics Bureau.

In this case, he said, the state government acted after receiving complaints about its misuse as a narcotic substance and illegal trafficking in several places.

The Uttar Pradesh government, through the FDSA, UP Police and the STF, is conducting the investigation. So far, a large-scale illegal trafficking operation has been uncovered and numerous people have been arrested, Adityanath added, reported PTI.

FDSA officials said codeine-based syrups fall under Schedule H and are legal if sold against a valid prescription. Violations occur when large quantities are supplied without proper documentation, often facilitating their abuse as intoxicants.

Officials said FIRs have been registered against 128 establishments across 28 districts under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the NDPS Act.

(With PTI inputs)