health

IPS Officer Deepak Gahlawat Arrested in Bribery Case Linked to Counterfeit Drugs Racket

Published on: 01 Jul 2026, 10:37 PM

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Deepak Gahlawat, a 2012-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Haryana cadre, on allegations of accepting a bribe of Rs 1 crore in connection with the Puducherry counterfeit medicine racket.

The arrest comes a month after the agency arrested two men, including a Delhi Police inspector, in the same case. Gahlawat, currently serving as a Regional Director with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), allegedly demanded Rs 3 crore from the prime accused, N Raja (also known as Valliappan and Rajasekhar), in the Rs 5,000-crore counterfeit medicine racket. He is accused of claiming he could use his connections within the CBI to obtain relief for Raja.

During a hearing at a Delhi court, Judge Sushant Changotra of Rouse Avenue Court questioned the CBI's investigation into the role of other CBI officers. The judge asked why the agency had not questioned Gahlawat about which CBI officers he intended to influence. The court noted that no effort had been made to ascertain if any public servant in the CBI was approached by Gahlawat. The judge remarked, 'The conduct of the IO in this respect and the responses given by him today are totally unfathomable.'

In court, Gahlawat denied the charges, stating, 'From May to June, I never called any of my acquaintances in CBI. Not a single call. There is not a single penny recovered from my account.' The court granted the CBI one-day custodial interrogation of Gahlawat.

According to a CBI spokesperson, the investigation revealed that Gahlawat had demanded illegal gratification, claiming he could exercise personal influence to obtain relief for private persons in the CBI cases related to counterfeit drugs. The CBI had earlier arrested Delhi Police Inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh and six others, recovering approximately Rs 25 lakh of trap amount and Rs 90 lakh, along with incriminating documents.

The counterfeit medicine manufacturing operation was uncovered last year following raids by the police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) in Puducherry. Massive stocks of fake drugs and raw materials were seized, and Raja was arrested in December.

Source: Indian Express

Latest in Health 10

health

Measles in Kozhikode: 161 confirmed cases, one death; health dept steps up vaccination

Kozhikode has reported 161 confirmed measles cases and one death this year, along with 116 suspected cases, the Health department said at a review meeting. Officials said the infection is spreading mainly among unvaccinated people and that preventive measures and vaccination coverage will be expanded. Two free doses of the measles-rubella vaccine at government health centres remain the most effective protection.

The Hindu 15 Oct 2026, 04:59 AM

health

Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of three Mumbai blood banks over watches given to donors

The Maharashtra FDA suspended the licences of three Mumbai blood banks for three to five days after an inquiry found Titan watches were given to donors at a camp in April, violating NBTC guidelines that bar gifts or inducements. Two of the blood banks have appealed and won temporary stays, while the FDA has said blood banks must strictly follow the rules.

The Hindu 15 Oct 2026, 05:01 AM

health

Chittoor declared bird flu-free, but officials tell poultry farmers: stay alert

Chittoor district has been declared free of bird flu, with the Animal Husbandry Joint Director saying there is no need for panic and that eggs and chicken are safe if cooked thoroughly. Poultry farmers have been advised to follow biosecurity precautions, and the public has been asked to report any abnormal illness or deaths among birds to local veterinary officers without delay.

The Hindu 09 Oct 2026, 01:41 PM

health

Nadda Launches JOSH Teams to Trace 'Missing' TB Patients in 55 Districts

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to carry out household-level outreach across 55 districts in 11 States and Union Territories. Each team of five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers will identify people with TB symptoms, encourage testing and help patients complete treatment. The Centre also felicitated 67,933 Panchayats declared TB Mukt in 2026.

The Hindu 08 Oct 2026, 03:46 PM

health

Kerala Rolls Out WOMN: ₹10 Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines at 14 KSRTC Depots

Kerala will launch WOMN, a scheme to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators at public places, starting with 14 KSRTC depots. Packets of three napkins will be sold at ₹10, with HLL supplying stock and KSRTC maintaining the machines. The initiative, part of the State's 100-day programme, is to be extended to tourist destinations and other public spaces.

The Hindu 05 Oct 2026, 01:51 PM

health

Hyderabad food safety crackdown: four Swiggy, Flipkart, Zepto dark stores lose FSSAI licences

Telangana's food safety authority has suspended the FSSAI licences of four quick-commerce dark stores in Hyderabad — two operated for Swiggy Instamart, one for Flipkart and one for Zepto — after inspections found expired food, pest infestation and faulty cold storage. Fifteen food samples were lifted for adulteration testing, while three establishments will get improvement notices and five show-cause notices.

The Hindu 30 Sep 2026, 03:58 PM

health

NEET PG Counselling 2026: NMC Releases Seat Matrix, 58,000 MD, MS and Diploma Seats Available

The National Medical Commission has released the seat matrix for PG medical admissions for 2026-27, with total MD, MS and diploma seats rising to about 58,000 — an 11 per cent increase over last year's 52,173. Private and deemed universities recorded a 32 per cent rise in seats, while government colleges saw a 10 per cent increase. The Commission has said the matrix may be revised and that a further list will be published if more seats are approved.

NDTV 30 Sep 2026, 02:49 AM

health

Supreme Court to FSSAI: Why take two more years for warning labels on packaged food?

The Supreme Court has questioned the FSSAI's proposal to take nearly two years to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The regulator told the court it needs four months for consultations and a further year for industry to transition, but the Bench asked why it was restarting an exercise begun in 2022. The court reserved its order and said it would keep the matter pending to monitor compliance.

The Hindu 29 Sep 2026, 04:31 AM

health

French court links flight attendant's breast cancer to her job in landmark ruling

A court in Bayonne has recognised breast cancer as an occupational disease for a former Air France flight attendant, citing night shifts, altitude radiation and passive smoking. The ruling, a first for French aviation, allows Sophie Lainault early retirement and full reimbursement of future treatment, and her lawyer says it sets a precedent.

The Hindu 26 Sep 2026, 05:03 AM

health

Dengue and flu circulate together in Chennai: steady fever cases, doctors urge early care

Dengue and influenza viruses are circulating simultaneously in Chennai, with hospitals reporting a steady flow of fever patients that doctors describe as broadly in line with the seasonal trend. Doctors advise early consultation, close attention to warning symptoms, and mosquito control measures at homes and schools.

The Hindu 25 Sep 2026, 05:41 AM

→ View All Health News