Delhi Crime Branch busts an interstate racket, arrest from five states
New Delhi, May 6
The Delhi Crime Branch busted an interstate racket indulging in black-marketing of ‘Remdesivir’ injections during Covid-19 Pandemic and has arrested five members of the syndicate.
The crime branch seized five 100 mg Remdesivir injections, two cars and five mobile phones have been seized from their possession.
Add CP Shibesh Singh stated that the accused persons were illegally selling the injections for Rs. 50,000/- each, in open market and have admitted to having sold more 100 injections so far in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan during the last 20 days.
The crime branch officials said that the kingpin of the racket, Ashok Tiwari is from Chhapra (Bihar), is running a pharmaceutical company from AVISON Towers, Kakrola, Delhi. He also has an office at Krishna Tower, Sector-12, Dwarka. He used to remain in touch with his respective customers through Whatsapp and used to receive Rs. 15,000/- online for each Remdesivir injection.
The officials added that Tiwari is absconding and raids are being conducted at his possible hideouts in Delhi, UP and Bihar. One Rajeev Ranjan is a Director in his company. His role in the syndicate is being probed.
Elaborating more on the accused, the crime branch said that accused Kaushal Mishra (22 years) is Chhapra and is working as a field boy with AVISON Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd. He used to supply Remdesivir injections to victims on instructions of kingpin Ashok Tiwari received on Whatsapp from Chhapra, Bihar.
Another accused Ankit Jatan (24 years) from Hisar Haryana is in Business Administrations from Hisaar and was doing business of digital marketing in Chandigarh. He along with his friends Kanishk Choudhary, Abhishek Rai, Utkrash Rai, Vicky and Sourabh started this illegal trade during COVID-19 pandemic as there was shortage of Remdesivir injections in open market to make quick money.
The third accused Kanishk Choudhary (22 years) from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan – is LLB and belongs to a wealthy family. The fourth accused Abhishek Rai (25 years) r/from Azamgarh, UP is a Graduate from Delhi University and is presently working as Supervisor in a Construction Company in Delhi. The fifth accused Utkarsh Rai (26 years) from Varansi, UP is a Graduate and is working as a milk boy in a farm company in NOIDA.
The crime branch had received members of the racket would come near Dhulsiras Chowk, Dwarka for supplying Remdesivir injections illegally at higher rates.
The crime branch team laid a trap near the expected place of their arrival. Ankit Jatan and Kanishk Chaudhary arrived in an I-20 car. They demanded Rs. 50,000 each for two Remdesivir injections. Both were apprehended at eth spot. Two 100 mg Remdesivir injections were seized from their possession.
During the investigation, three other associates Kaushal Mishra, Abhishek Rai and Utkarsh Rai were also arrested and three more Remdesivir Injections were seized from their possession.
The crime branch stated that the gang members searched for people who were looking for Remdesivir injections for their relatives who were suffering from Covid infection. For Injections worth Rs. 1,200/- per vial, they charged anywhere between Rs. 25,000 to 50,000 per vial, depending upon the paying capacity of the victims.
The seized injections are being handed over to the health department after getting orders from the competent authority.
The raids are being conducted to trace the kingpin Ashok Tiwari, officials added.
The crime branch is further investigation in the case is in progress.
