Varanasi: The story hidden in cough syrup bottles has now reached the doorstep of the court. Amidst the continuous raids, arrests and political statements, 10 drug traders from Varanasi have approached the court. It is alleged that he is being made a scapegoat in this case on the basis of fake and fabricated allegations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already given the message of strict action on the cough syrup controversy, in such a situation the traders have raised the demand for an impartial investigation.

application submitted in court

10 businessmen submitted an application to the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-II in Varanasi District Sessions Court through advocate Srinath Tripathi. These include Tushar Agarwal, Neeraj Seth, Rishabh Yadav, Prateek Kumar, Dharmendra Agarwal, Vivek Kumar Khanna, Alpes Patel, Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Virendra Lal Verma and Mahesh Khaitan.

The traders said that they have been accused of crimes to which they have no connection and the police are unnecessarily raiding and pressuring them to make arrests.

“Please tell under which sections the case has been registered”

The main demand of the traders is that they should be clearly told under which sections the allegations have been made against them in FIR No. 235/2025 and the court should issue an order to take them into judicial custody.

Advocate's statement: “No case of NDPS Act”

Advocate Srinath Tripathi said that this case is not like the case of death of children due to cough syrup in Jharkhand. He claimed that Phensedyl cough syrup is a legally recognized medicine, which is sold across the country.

He alleged that this entire matter is baseless and money is being extorted from traders in the name of investigation. He demanded from Chief Minister Yogi that no one should be arrested until an impartial report comes.

Traders running away from their homes in the cold are scared and have been forced to hide away from their homes. He says that the business is legitimate and the entire turnover has been done legally. They are ready to cooperate in the investigation.

Administration's claim: Illegal business worth Rs 100 crore

Food Safety and Drug Administration said that during the action in Varanasi, FIR was lodged against Shelly Traders. It is alleged that between 2023-25, 89 lakh Phensedyl cough syrups were purchased and 84 lakh bottles were sold in 93 medical stores, the value of which was estimated to be more than Rs 100 crore.

The department said that this is a violation of license rules and investigation of this entire network is going on.

Claim of closure of 9 firms

During investigation, information was given that 9 firms including GT Enterprises, Shivam Pharma, Harsh Pharma, DCA Pharma, Mahakal Medical Store were found closed. Huge irregularities came to light in many firms such as:

• Two firms registered at one place
• Lack of documents on purchase worth lakhs
• cease to physically exist

The matter may become bigger

As the investigation progresses, more names linked to the drug supply network are likely to come to light. At the same time, the traders are claiming their innocence and requesting protection from the court. Now the focus is on what further steps the court and the government take on this dispute.