Stepping up its fight against the illegal drug trade, the Delhi government’s Drugs Control Department has conducted a major inspection and enforcement drive at Bhagirath Palace, one of the city’s key pharmaceutical trading hubs. The operation was carried out under the directions of Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh as part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against counterfeit and illegal medicines, aimed at safeguarding public health across the national capital.
Officials said the special enforcement drive was aligned with the vision of the Delhi government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to ensure the availability of safe, effective, and high-quality medicines for every citizen. During the operation, Drugs Control Department teams inspected 27 premises of wholesale drug dealers in the Bhagirath Palace area. More than 10 pharmaceutical firms were found to be violating provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and related rules. Necessary legal action has been initiated against the erring firms under the stringent provisions of the law.
As part of the inspection, around 204 samples of syrups, medicines, cotton, and other surgical items were collected to verify compliance with prescribed quality and safety standards. These samples have been sent for laboratory testing and analysis, and further action will be taken based on the test results, officials said.
During the same enforcement drive, a case was registered against a shop found selling medical devices and surgical items without a valid licence. The sale of such products without proper authorisation was found to be a clear violation of the Medical Devices Rules. Authorities have initiated appropriate legal proceedings against the concerned firm in accordance with regulatory norms.
The Bhagirath Palace operation followed another significant joint action carried out earlier by the Drugs Control Department in coordination with the Delhi Police. Acting on inputs received from the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch, a joint team conducted a late-night raid at a drug trading establishment in the Teliwara area of Sadar Bazaar. During this operation, a large consignment of counterfeit and adulterated medicines, including a substantial quantity of fake anti-fungal creams, was seized from a drug trader.
Investigations revealed that the premises in Sadar Bazaar were being operated without a valid drug licence. The person in charge failed to produce any legitimate purchase or sale records during the inspection. Physical verification further revealed large stocks of counterfeit branded topical formulations that were allegedly meant for sale and distribution in the market.
Preliminary investigations have indicated that the seized fake medicines were being supplied not only to nearby states but also had links to inter-state and cross-border networks. In view of the seriousness of the findings, the Drugs Control Department has formally informed its counterparts in neighbouring states to ensure heightened vigilance and coordinated action against the wider network involved in the illegal trade.
Commending the efforts of the Drugs Control Department, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the Delhi government remains fully committed to strict regulatory oversight and the protection of public health. He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government is determined to eliminate the sale of counterfeit, illegal, and substandard medicines and medical devices from the city.
The health minister emphasised that ensuring the availability of safe and quality medicines for every resident of Delhi is a top priority for the government and that no compromise would be made in this regard. He reiterated that the government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards the manufacture, storage, and sale of fake and illegally marketed drugs and medical devices.
Officials confirmed that similar intensive enforcement and inspection drives will continue across Delhi in the coming days. The government, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, will maintain strict vigilance to curb illegal drug trade and ensure full compliance with regulatory standards, with the objective of protecting public health and upholding the rule of law.
