Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 26 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath informed the state Assembly that no deaths have occurred in the state due to codeine-based cough syrup and said the matter is being pursued strictly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Addressing the House, the Chief Minister said, ‘No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. Action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court.’ He also alleged that the licence of a major wholesaler, first apprehended by the Special Task Force, was issued during the Samajwadi Party government in 2016.
Providing details of the action taken so far, Adityanath said 79 cases have been registered, 225 accused have been named and 78 people arrested in connection with the matter. He added that raids have been conducted on 134 firms across the state.
The Chief Minister further alleged that links to the Samajwadi Party could emerge as the investigation progresses. ‘If you delve deeper into this matter, you will find that ultimately some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved. The High Court has ruled that this entire case should be prosecuted under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has fought this battle and won,’ he said.
Issuing a warning to those involved, Adityanath said no accused would be spared and that the government would ensure strict action against all those found guilty.
Targeting the opposition indirectly, the Chief Minister also made remarks aimed at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of evading accountability during public debates.
Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav had addressed the codeine syrup controversy at a press conference, alleging that the racket originated from the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency. ‘You cannot imagine that an illegal cough syrup business is operating from the Prime Minister’s constituency. It is worth thousands of crores and is an international issue,’ Yadav had said.
He further claimed that the racket was much larger than projected and called for strict action against all those involved, irrespective of political affiliation. (ANI)