UP CM Yogi hints at bulldozer action in Codeine syrup case

Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday told the Opposition in the state assembly to “be prepared for bulldozer action when the time comes” in the Codeine syrup scandal while warning them,”don’t complain then.”

The CM, in an attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), alleged that their leaders links were found in the Codeine syrup scandal in the state and even the finaincial evidence were found against a Lohia Vahini office bearer. To this, SP members staged a noisy walkout of the house raising slogans, alleging that the CM was tarnishing the image of their leaders to save the culprits.

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The CM, while intervening during the question hour over illicit drugs, said there was no death reported in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. However, action will be taken under the NDPS Act in this case as the government has won this case in court.

“The wholesaler or major wholesalers of this product in Uttar Pradesh were first apprehended by the STF. The license for this was issued by the Samajwadi Party in 2016,” he said, adding, “the photos being released show two individuals; one sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow were behind the scandal. When any discussion arises in the country, they flee the country. I think the same thing is happening with your “Babua” (referring to Akhilesh Yadav); he too will go on a pleasure trip to England, while you people keep shouting here.”

He said the issue of codeine cough syrup was about deaths caused by the consumption of counterfeit medicines and we have already stated that there have been no reports of deaths due to counterfeit medicines. “In UP, there are only stockists and wholesalers of codeine cough syrup; it is not produced here. It is produced in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states. The deaths occurred in other states, and the deaths were caused by syrup manufactured in Tamil Nadu,” he claimed.

CM Yogi said, “This entire incident is not about adulteration; it is about illegal diversion. Due to this diversion, these wholesalers supplied it to those countries and states where there is prohibition, but where drug addicts have a habit of consuming it. It was misused there, even though it cannot be consumed without medical consultation, especially by children.”

“Who hasn’t taken cough syrup? Everyone takes it when they have a cough, but with medical consultation. Since you have no connection with education, you keep shouting,” he pointing towards the SP members.

Giving details about the government action on Codeine syrup case, the CM said, “He government has taken action in this matter, registering 79 cases, naming 225 accused, arresting 78 accused so far, and conducting raids on 134 firms”.

He said it is unfortunate that,” the deeper you go into this matter, the same issue keeps coming up: that somewhere or the other, someone is connected to the Samajwadi Party. Any leader or individual involved will be held accountable. The illegal transaction also took place through the account of a Lohia Vahini leader.The STF is investigating this matter. The Uttar Pradesh government has won the case in the High Court regarding prosecuting this matter under the NDPS Act.”