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Raids In UP, Gujarat, Jharkhand Linked To Rs 1,000 Crore Cough Syrup Racket
In a sweeping operation early Thursday or Friday, the Lucknow Zonal office conducted raids at 25 locations connected to a sprawling illegal codeine-based cough syrup network to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate has launched a massive crackdown across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat, raiding 25 locations linked to a sprawling codeine-based cough syrup diversion and trafficking racket. This financial investigation, triggered by multiple FIRs, aims to unravel a complex network of illegal manufacturing, forged documentation, and money laundering generating crores.
ED raids in multiple states in UP illegal cough syrup case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided multiple locations across several states as part of a money-laundering investigation into an alleged illegal cough syrup trafficking racket in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. The searches, which began around 7:30 am, are being conducted at 25 premises in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The ED has registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe the illegal manufacturing, trade and transportation of codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS), including suspected cross-border smuggling into Bangladesh. Locations linked to the absconding main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, and his alleged associates Alok Singh and Amit Singh, along with certain cough syrup manufacturers and Chartered Accountant Vishnu Aggarwal, are being searched, the officials said. The agencys action is based on around 30 FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police after the state government took cognisance of widespread misuse and illegal circulation of CBCS. The estimated proceeds of crime in the case amount to about Rs 1,000 crore, according to ED officials. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police. A total of 32 people have been taken into custody so far, and the state police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
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LUCKNOW: A Bahraich court on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to nine convicts and handed the death penalty to the prime accused, Sarfaraz alias Rinku, in the sensational Ram Gopal Mishra murder case that took place during communal violence over the immersion of Durga idols last year. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge (First) Pawan Kumar Sharma. Those convicted include Abdul Hameed, Faheem, Saif Ali, Javed Khan, Zeeshan alias Raja alias Sahir, Nankau, Maruf Ali, Shoaib Khan, Talib alias Sablu, and Sarfaraz alias Rinku. Except for Sarfaraz, all received life terms under BNS sections 103(2) (murder), 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting with armed weapons), the Arms Act, and other charges. The court also acquitted Afzal, Shakeel, and Khurshid for lack of evidence. On October 13, 2024, communal tensions had escalated in Bahraich after Mishra, a devotee participating in a Durga idol immersion procession, was shot dead. Police said he had allegedly climbed the terrace of a house belonging to members of the minority community and attempted to replace a flag with a saffron one. In its order, the court observed that the crime triggered widespread panic, disrupted essential services, and created a curfew-like situation. It noted that Mishras wife, married only in June 2024, lost her husband within four months of her marriage, describing the incident as a lifelong tragedy for the family. The court listed several aggravating factors: the killing was extremely cruel, sadistic, and shocking to societys conscience. It said the act was committed as a show of dominance, targeting an unarmed man. Sarfaraz, who fired the gun, was termed a continuing threat to society, having later attacked police as well. The murder was described as cold-blooded, premeditated, and part of an unlawful assembly that caused widespread unrest. An FIR was registered on October 13, 2024, naming six accused initially, with seven more added later under charges of murder and rioting. The chargesheet against all 13 followed on January 1, 2025. A day after the killing, violence erupted during Mishras last rites, with mobs torching vehicles and an automobile showroom and vandalising a hospital. Internet services were suspended in the district. The situation was brought under control after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dispatched ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash and then Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta to the district. Two police officials SK Verma, in-charge of Hardi police station, and sub-inspector Shiv Kumar of the Maharajganj outpost were suspended for dereliction of duty. Sources said then ASP Pavitra Mohan Tripathi was suspended for failing to control the situation despite having PAC support. Later, Mahsi Circle Officer Rupendra Gaur was also suspended following reports of intelligence failure. The court noted that Mishras killing was not a routine murder but marked by extreme brutality. The prosecution described it as a textbook example of heinousness, stating eight rounds were fired at Mishra, with postmortem findings showing 40 entry wounds, two exit wounds, burnt toes, forcibly removed nails, blunt-force injuries, and an upper body resembling a sieve. The government counsel said the crime involved clear mens rea and actus reus, executed with the intention to kill. Calling it cold-blooded and sadistic, the prosecution argued the convicts sought to assert religious dominance by targeting a man participating in a Durga immersion procession. The prosecution also detailed the wider impact, saying Bahraich remained disturbed for over a month, with shut markets and schools. Internet services were suspended for three days, and RAF, PAC, and police units from nearby districts had to be deployed.
Assistant stamp commissioner and clerk arrested in shamli for taking bribe
Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment arrested Assistant Stamp Commissioner Ravindra Mehta and Clerk Ashwani in Shamli for accepting a 1 lakh bribe. The officials had demanded an additional 3.8 lakh in stamp duty and a bribe from a land buyer, threatening to charge at the full market rate otherwise.
Allahabad HC stays further demolition of SP leaders banquet hall; orders status quo
LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court came to the rescue of a Samajwadi Party leader who owns a banquet hall - Aiwane-e-Farhat - in Bareilly by restraining the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) from carrying out any further demolition of the residential structure and marriage hall. A division bench comprising Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Kunal Ravi Singh directed the parties, on Wednesday, to maintain the status quo and granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the Vice-Chairman of the BDA with applications for the regularisation and compounding of the unauthorised construction. The order came almost a week after the Supreme Court declined to entertain a writ petition filed under Article 32 by SP leader Sarfaraz Wali Khan and his wife Farhat Jahan but granted them liberty to approach the jurisdictional High Court. On December 4, the Apex Court, while disposing of the petition, noted that the demolition exercise has already begun and that partial demolition had been carried out. However, the Supreme Court had granted interim protection for one week, directing that parties maintain the status quo till December 10, 2025. When the matter was presented before the High Court, Senior Advocate Shashi Nandan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the demolition action was being taken under the guise of an alleged order (dated October 12, 2011) that was never served upon the petitioners. The petitioners alleged that the authorities concerned proceeded directly with demolition without giving any prior notice or following the procedure prescribed under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. The petitioners expressed their willingness to resort to remedies available under the 1973 Act, as they submitted that the specific constructions were compoundable. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Ashok Mehta, representing the BDA, opposed the petition, alleging that the petitioners had concealed material facts. It was submitted that notices were issued under Section 27(1) of the 1973 Act as early as 2011 regarding the construction of a Marriage Hall (Barat Ghar) without a sanctioned map. It was pointed out that despite being afforded several opportunities between May and October 2011, the petitioners failed to appear or furnish evidence. Consequently, a demolition order was passed on October 12, 2011. The BDA further argued that, in 2018, petitioner no. 2 admitted to operating the marriage hall Aiwan-e-Farhat but claimed that the structure was old and had been purchased under a sale deed dated 1991. The Authority contended that despite this, no map was ever submitted for approval, nor was any compounding application filed. After hearing both sides, the High Court observed that it was not inclined to adjudicate the matter on the merits at this stage, given the disputed questions of fact which cannot be examined in writ jurisdiction. However, to ensure the ends of justice, the Court accorded liberty to the petitioners to move appropriate applications under Sections 14 and 15 of the 1973 Act, along with an application for compounding such portion of the construction as may be permissible under the Rules. Setting a strict deadline, the bench asked the petitioners to file such applications before the Vice-Chairman of the Bareilly Development Authority within two weeks. The Court, at the same time, directed the BDA Vice-Chairman to process those applications strictly in accordance with law and dispose of them within a further period of six weeks from the date of filing. In order to secure the property during the interim period, the High Court directed all parties to maintain status quo with respect to the property in question, and no further demolition shall be carried out until the disposal of the applications. The petitioners were also restrained from carrying out any further construction or alteration on the site.
Ashish Misra to stay in Lakhimpur Kheri from December 25 to 31: SC relaxes bail conditions
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday--relaxing a bit the bail conditions--allowed former Union Minister's son Ashish Mishra , the main accused, to visit his native place in Lakhimpur from December 25-31, on the terms and conditions imposed on him by the Court in May. Liberty is granted to the petitioner (Ashish Mishra) to visit and stay in Lakhimpur Kheri from 25th December to 31st December, subject to the same terms and conditions which were there earlier. The two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order after hearing a plea filed by Mishra, seeking certain relaxation. The top court also noted that, as per the updated status report filed by the State of UP, in the main trial, 36 witnesses have been examined and 85 are yet to be examined. 10 witnesses have been exempted. The Court was also apprised by the UP Additional Advocate General that 789 trials are pending before the same judge who is hearing the case. Hearing this from the AAG, the Court listed the matter for further hearing to March 2026. During the hearing, the Court was also informed that there was a need for additional courts for hearing trial proceedings, as present judicial officers were facing extreme workload. It is notable that in May, the Court relaxed Mishra's bail conditions and allowed him to visit Lakhimpur Kheri every Saturday evening to spend time with family, subject to the condition that he should return to Lucknow Sunday evening. The Court had also in its earlier order added that while in Lakhimpur Kheri, Mishra should not participate in any public meeting or political activities and that the visit shall be private only for the family members. According to the prosecution, eight persons, including four farmers, were allegedly killed on October 3, 2021, after violence broke out in the Lakhimpur Kheri district in the state of Uttar Pradesh during a protest against the Centres farm laws that have now been repealed. The farmer's organisation, in the case, have alleged that a vehicle belonging to accused Mishra had run over a group of demonstrators. Earlier on July 22, 2023, in a major relief to prime accused, Mishra, son of former Union Minister Mishra, in the case that claimed eight lives, the Supreme Court in its order had granted him bail with slew of directions. The Supreme Court had on March this year in its decision refused to recall its earlier order granting bail to Mishraover allegations that witnesses were being threatened in the case. The accused, Mishra was first arrested in the case on October 9, 2021. He walked out of jail on February 15, 2022, after the Allahabad High Court had granted him bail. On December 6, an Uttar Pradesh court had framed charges against 14 persons including Mishra. Mishra has been charged for a number of offences including murder, attempt to murder, rioting and criminal conspiracy. The trial had begun on December 16, 2023.
BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA
MUMBAI, Dec 11: BLS International Services on Thursday said it has secured the renewal of its contract for attestation and apostille services with the External Affairs Ministry. The renewed contract covers its existing service operations across Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Panaji, Kochi, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Patna and Puducherry, BLS International said in a statement. Under this agreement, BLS International will provide MEA attestation and apostille services for educational, non-educational, and commercial documents across [] The post BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
A woman died in Barabanki after an illegal clinic owner and his nephew allegedly performed surgery on her while watching a YouTube video. The clinic operator, described as a 'quack', reportedly operated under the influence of alcohol, leading to a fatal incision. A case has been registered, and efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding accused.
UP govt identifies key suspects in codeine syrup racket; over 120 FIRs registered
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police and the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) have identified more than 10 key suspects allegedly involved in the organised nexus behind the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrups, as the states biggest crackdown on the menace gathers pace, officials said Thursday. The identification of the suspects emerged during an extensive Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
UPPCL to replace over Rs 11 Lakh faulty smart meters by 2027
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) will replace over 11 lakh outdated smart meters by March 2027 under the revamped distribution sector scheme. These 2G/3G meters, installed by EESL, faced significant issues including widespread disconnections and integration failures, leading to a substantial waste of public funds. The replacement with advanced smart prepaid meters will cost an additional Rs 682 crore.
Land fraud case: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur arrested in U.P., sent tojudicial custody
Mr.Thakur, who was arrested by the Lucknow police around 2 a.m. on Wednesday at Shahjahanpur Junction while he was on his way to New Delhi via Lucknow by train was produced before a court in Deoria on December 10, remanded to 14 days of judicial custody
UP will use tech to identify infiltrators, Yogi says can be model for other states
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has begun to implement an advanced tech-driven system to track infiltrators and contain infiltration. Officials say the system can eventually be used nationwide. According to the governments media cell, a biometric database of people identified as infiltrators is being created. It will include fingerprints, facial recognition data and other unique identifiers, stored in a national negative list. Senior officials said this list will be shared with all state and central agencies to prevent such individuals from re-entering Uttar Pradesh and to block any attempts to obtain official documents, including Aadhaar and other government IDs. They described the move as a major escalation in the states anti-infiltration measures, aimed at ensuring that no undocumented person can hide their identity or re-establish themselves within the system. Sources said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently instructed officials during a high-level meeting to use the most advanced identity-verification tools available. These upcoming systems will detect forged or altered documents, analyse the long-term residence patterns of infiltrators living under false identities, identify networks that create fake documents, and eliminate any gaps in screening or verification. Officials working closely on the project said the technology will be able to spot irregularities across different databases, making it easier for authorities to trace how infiltrators obtained fake documents and for how long they remained under the radar. The government is also improving the infrastructure at detention centres being established across Uttar Pradesh. These facilities will have an impenetrable, state-of-the-art security system with multi-layered access controls, surveillance grids, and continuous monitoring. Police officials even called the system unbreachable.
India beat Argentina 4-2 to win bronze
FIH Mens Junior World Cup CHENNAI, Dec 10: India produced a brave-heart performance, nullifying a two-goal deficit to beat Argentina 4-2 and clinch the bronze medal in the FIH Mens Junior World Cup here on Wednesday. India, who won the title in 2016 in Lucknow, failed to finish on the podium on the last two []
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India beat Argentina by 4-2 to win bronze in FIH Mens Junior WC
CHENNAI, Dec 10: India produced a brave-heart performance, nullifying a two-goal deficit to beat Argentina 4-2 and clinch the bronze medal in the FIH Mens Junior World Cup here on Wednesday. India, who won the title in 2016 in Lucknow, failed to finish on the podium on the last two occasions, ending fourth in 2021 in Bhubaneswar, and two years later in Kuala Lumpur. India produced a valiant fightback with Ankit Pal (49th minute), Manmeet Singh (52nd) and Anmol Ekka [] The post India beat Argentina by 4-2 to win bronze in FIH Mens Junior WC appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
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Five killed as cars collide and burst into flames on Purvanchal Expressway in Lucknow
LUCKNOW: Five people, including two women, two young girls and a man, were killed on Wednesday afternoon when two cars collided head-on and caught fire on the Purvanchal Expressway in Barabanki. Subehana police reported that a Maruti Suzuki Brezza travelling from Lucknow to Azamgarh collided head-on with a WagonR coming from the opposite direction. The WagonR caught fire first, soon followed by the Brezza. The Brezza carried four people three women and a young girl with the women surviving while the child died. The WagonR had a man, a woman, and three children on board; a woman and a girl died on the spot, and another child later succumbed during treatment. Seven injured passengers were rushed to Barabanki District Hospital, where three later died. Two others had died at the scene, they added. Local sources said the impact was so severe that some passengers were thrown nearly 20 metres away. Both vehicles were completely gutted, with flames rising several feet into the air. Passers-by were the first to rescue passengers, pulling out the injured before police and UPEIDA staff arrived. A fire brigade team later extinguished the flames. Barabanki SP Arpit Vijayvargiya confirmed the deaths and said four others remain in critical condition. Police are investigating the cause of the crash and the fire and are working to identify the victims families.
Former IG Amitabh Thakur held by Lucknow police in fraud case in Deoria
LUCKNOW: Former IG and Chief of Azad Adhikar Sena Amitabh Thakur was picked up by Uttar Pradesh Police from SitapurMaholi border while he was on his way to Delhi from Lucknow on Wednesday. Police officers in plain clothes boarded the train and took him off in connection with an alleged case of fraud and cheating to secure an industrial plot in Deoria by misusing his official position in 1999. Police action came after the ex-cop did not cooperate with the investigation. Amitabh Thakur and his wife Nutan Thakurs X accounts have also been suspended. The case began after Sanjay Sharma of Rajajipuram filed a complaint alleging that Thakurs wife, Nutan Thakur, obtained Industrial Plot No. B-2 at the District Industries Centre in Deoria district of eastern UP using a fake name Nootan Devi, a forged husbands name, and a false Bihar address. She allegedly created forged application forms, affidavits and transfer deeds, while Amitabh Thakur allegedly used his official position to support the fraud. The police sources claimed that the said plot was later sold by Thakurs using their real identities. An FIR under relevant IPC sections related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy was registered at Talkatora police station in September, this year on the basis of a complaint submitted by Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Talkatora. The case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Lucknow Police currently. As per Lucknow Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishwajeet Srivastava, Amitabh Thakurs arrest came through on the basis of the evidence collected during the probe. He will be produced before the Deoria court as the incident took place there, said the officer. To ensure a fair and transparent investigation, DCP Srivastava constituted the SIT. The police sources said that as part of the probe, the team gathered documentary evidence from Deoria, verified the alleged false identities and addresses in Bihar, examined official records, and questioned multiple witnesses. In March 2021, Thakur, a 1992-batch IPS officer, was given pre-mature retirement from the service by the Union Home Ministry. According to police, complainant Sanjay Sharma alleged that when Thakur was posted as Deoria SP in 1999, his wife secured the allotment of an industrial plot from the District Industries Centre. The complaint further alleged that the plot was later sold using the couples real names and address, thereby, keeping government agencies, banks, and other stakeholders in the dark for a long period. The police sources claimed that the SIT found sufficient evidence to proceed against the accused.
UP: Former IPS officer arrested in industrial plot allotment fraud case
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Police on Wednesday arrested a former IPS officer in connection with an alleged case of fraud and forgery related to the allotment of an industrial plot in Deoria district in 1999, officials said. According to the police, the accused, Amitabh Thakur, allegedly misused his official position as the then superintendent of police of Deoria to facilitate the allotment of an industrial plot by the District Industries Centre, in the name of his wife, Nutan Thakur, by using forged documents and false identities. The plot was subsequently sold for alleged monetary gain. DCP (Lucknow West) Vishwajeet Shrivastava said a complaint in this regard was filed by Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Rajajipuram, under the Tal Katora police station limits in Lucknow. The complaint alleged that false names, addresses and forged documents, including application forms, affidavits, treasury challans and transfer deeds, were used to obtain the allotment, while Thakur allegedly extended protection and assistance by misusing his official position, the officer said. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered on September 12, 2025, under sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 34 and 120B of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, and a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), he said. During the probe, documentary evidence was collected from Deoria district, verification of the alleged false names and addresses was carried out in Bihar, and statements of witnesses were recorded, police said in a statement. On the basis of the evidence gathered, Thakur was arrested at around 3.45 am on Wednesday from the Maholi border in Sitapur district, officials said. He will be produced before a competent court in Deoria, as the alleged offence pertains to that district.
Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur was arrested by Lucknow Police for allegedly misusing his position as SP Deoria in 1999. He is accused of fraudulently securing an industrial plot for his wife using forged identities and fabricated documents. The SIT investigation confirmed sufficient proof, leading to his apprehension.
A tragic fire in Goa claimed 25 lives. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav criticized government regulations. He stated the accused owners fled to Thailand. Authorities are investigating the expired licenses and the local body's failure to act. Efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitives.
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