CBI Arrest – Haryana IPS Officer Held in Puducherry Counterfeit Drugs Case
CBI Arrest – The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Haryana cadre IPS officer Deepak Gahlawat over allegations that he sought Rs 3 crore to influence an ongoing investigation into a large counterfeit medicines network linked to Puducherry.
Gahlawat, a 2012-batch officer, was serving as a Regional Director with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the time of his arrest. The development comes weeks after the CBI arrested several people, including a Delhi Police Crime Branch inspector, in connection with an alleged Rs 1 crore bribe linked to the same case.
Allegation of Seeking Money for Relief in Probe
According to the CBI, Gahlawat allegedly approached N Raja, also known as Valliappan and Rajasekhar, who is considered a key accused in the counterfeit drug case. Investigators claim the officer said he could use his contacts within the agency to help secure relief in the matter.
The agency has alleged that he demanded Rs 3 crore in return for intervening in the investigation. The CBI said the allegation emerged during its inquiry into suspected attempts to influence the probe and protect those connected with the alleged drug racket.
In a statement, a CBI spokesperson said the officer had allegedly sought illegal gratification by claiming he could exercise personal influence to obtain relief for private individuals facing investigation in cases related to the sale of counterfeit medicines in Puducherry.
CBI Says Officer Was Questioned Before Arrest
The federal agency said Gahlawat was questioned on multiple occasions after information about the alleged demand surfaced. He was subsequently arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
The CBI has not publicly disclosed further details about the alleged conversations or the evidence that led to the arrest. The matter remains under investigation, and the agency is examining the role of all individuals suspected of attempting to interfere with the case.
Earlier FIR Named Delhi Police Inspector and Others
The CBI had registered an FIR on June 8 against Raja, Delhi Police Crime Branch inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh and an alleged middleman identified as Rajkumar, also known as Madhanraj.
The case also included unnamed public servants and private persons. The agency had earlier alleged that a bribe of Rs 1 crore was accepted in an attempt to manage or manipulate the investigation involving the suspected counterfeit medicine operation.
The arrest of the IPS officer marks a further escalation in the case, which has brought several law enforcement personnel and private individuals under the scanner.
Counterfeit Drug Network Was Uncovered Last Year
The alleged counterfeit medicine racket came to light after raids carried out by Puducherry Police and the local crime branch last year. During those operations, authorities reportedly recovered substantial quantities of suspected fake medicines along with raw materials believed to have been used in their production.
Investigators have estimated the scale of the suspected operation at around Rs 5,000 crore. The case has raised concerns over the circulation of spurious medicines and the possible impact on public health.
Raja was arrested in December following the initial investigation by Puducherry authorities. Since then, the CBI has widened its inquiry to examine the financial trail, alleged links between accused persons and officials, and claims that efforts were made to influence the federal probe.
Investigation Continues Into Alleged Influence Network
The CBI is continuing to investigate whether any other officials or private persons were involved in attempts to interfere with the case. Further action will depend on evidence gathered during the inquiry and subsequent legal proceedings.