The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail application of a man accused of being at the heart of a racket involved in producing and distributing counterfeit anti-cancer drugs. Justice Subramonium Prasad described the accused, Viphil Jain, as the “kingpin” of the operation, highlighting the severe risks posed by the substandard medicines to cancer patients.
The court expressed concerns that the drugs allegedly produced by Jain had compromised efficacy, potentially leading to the progression or relapse of cancer in patients, which could prove fatal. The distinction between Jain and his co-accused, who were considered mere pawns and have been granted bail, was starkly emphasized by the court.
According to court documents, Jain, leveraging his background in pharmacy, was “wilfully involved in this life-threatening and ill-perceived business.” The fear that Jain could tamper with evidence or continue his illegal activities was deemed substantial enough to warrant keeping him in custody.
Further investigations led to more raids where law enforcement recovered large quantities of fake anti-cancer injections, along with other materials used in their packaging and production. In total, 12 individuals connected to the racket have been arrested.
Despite arguments for bail on grounds of parity, the court held that Jain’s central role as the orchestrator of the operation distinguished his case from that of his co-accused. The court concluded that Jain’s release could result in him fleeing or continuing his criminal activities, given his resources and knowledge of the drug market.
