Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has accused Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav that when the latter was the CM, his government gave license to the firm which was found to be involved in the illegal Codeine cough syrup cases. Speaking in the state assembly, the chief minister showed a photo of Akhilesh Yadav with the people associated with the said firm, and targeted the SP MP.
“…The truth is always bitter, and people are not always used to hearing it. That is why, regarding the illegal diversion of cough syrup and the leaders involved in illegal trafficking are connected to you…” the CM said.
He added, “….Action against them was taken under NDPS for the illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup, illegal storage, and failure to maintain proper records. This offense carries a punishment ranging from 10 to 20 years. This operation is ongoing in Uttar Pradesh and has not been reported elsewhere…”
The CM said no one died of the cough syrup in UP, adding that action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. “The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court. Thirdly, in Uttar Pradesh, the biggest wholesaler, who was first apprehended by the STF, was issued a license by the Samajwadi Party in 2016.”
77 arrested in the case so far
Informing the house about all the actions the state government has taken so far, CM Yogi said the license to Vibhor Rana was issued by the Samajwadi Party. Visuals of Alok Sipahi (an accused in the case) with Akhilesh Yadav, in which he was giving some gifts, went viral, he added.
“We have taken action under the NDPS Act, and our action is still ongoing. We have arrested 77 accused so far. No one will be spared. I understand your pain. Because when the government’s action reaches its final stage, many of you will go to read the ‘fatiha’. We won’t even leave you in a state where you can read the ‘fatiha’,” the Chief Minister mentioned.
Providing further details, Yogi Adityanath said the government has registered 79 cases, and named 225 accused in connection with the matter. He added that raids have been carried out on 134 firms.
He said that an SIT has been formed under the chairmanship of the IG Law and Order of the state. The CM said the SP is aware of the government’s action and is nervous. “… The Samajwadi Party is very well aware of how action should be taken against the mafia, and we can understand their nervousness through this…”
How are the accused linked to SP?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed one of the accused, Shubham Jaiswal of Shaili Traders is a business partner of Amit Yadav, the state secretary of the Samajwadi Party Yuvjan Sabha and the Samajwadi Party candidate from Cantt Varanasi.
“The biggest stockist in UP is Shubham Jaiswal, a business partner of Amit Yadav, who was the Samajwadi Party candidate from Varanasi. Amit Yadav’s photo is with Akhilesh Yadav…He is your office bearer, and you cannot deny this,” he added.
Meanwhile, reacting to the opposition’s protest, BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh asked if the protesting leaders brought the photo of Akhilesh Yadav. “Did they bring it or not? If they had brought it, the matter would have progressed further. But since they did not, it means they were protesting to hide something,” he added
The Codenie cough syrup case
A former constable of UP police, manufactures, distributors and many officials have been probed by the agencies, some of which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided recently have been found to be involved in the illegal cough syrup cases. At least 20 children died of these cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh.
Ruckus erupted after the case was linked from firms in UP as well, and the opposition claimed it was a lack of seriousness from the point of view of the government.