Karnataka SIT Probes Fake Medicine Racket; Kingpin Traced to Azerbaijan, Pharmacy Owner Arrested

In an interview with India Today, Dr. Vishal Rao, an oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre in Bengaluru, expressed deep concern over the fake cancer drug racket uncovered in hospitals. He described the supply of counterfeit oncology medicines as a critical disaster, warning that administering ineffective treatments delays care and allows life-threatening tumours to spread. Calling the issue a systemic failure across the supply chain, Dr. Rao stated, "No, I think this is a complete disaster." He emphasised that every chemotherapy dose is essential to saving lives and moving patients toward a cure. Dr. Rao urged regulatory authorities to implement strict electronic tracking systems, such as mandatory QR codes and barcode trails from manufacturer to hospital, to verify drug authenticity. He also called for severe penalties and comprehensive investigations to dismantle the underlying nexus.

A major fake medicine scam has been unearthed in Bengaluru, where counterfeit cancer drugs, intensive care unit injections, and life-saving medications were supplied to over ninety hospitals, clinics, and medical shops. The Karnataka Health Department and a Special Investigation Team conducted raids across the state, leading to the sealing of Krupa Healthcare at Minerva Circle in Bengaluru. Authorities revealed the facility rebranded low-cost and expired medicines inside their premises before distributing them across Karnataka at heavy discounts. Police are currently inspecting invoices and seized documents to dismantle the wider distribution network involved in the counterfeit drug trade.

MRH Technologies Private Limited, in partnership with German multinational Mann+Hummel, has introduced the Filter Cube air filtration technology in India to tackle severe air pollution. According to company representatives, infrastructure development contributes significantly to air pollution, requiring active public-private participation rather than relying solely on government action. The Filter Cube operates via forced air circulation, capturing road dust, smoke, and harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Validated during a trial by IIT Delhi between September and November 2024, the equipment demonstrated a 60 to 70 percent reduction in pollution levels. Designed in Germany and manufactured and assembled in India, each unit delivers approximately 17,500 cubic metres of clean air per hour. The automated system features weather sensors that turn off the device during rain, an energy-saving night mode, and a centralised dashboard providing real-time performance data across city zones.

In an interview, Ashutosh Ranka, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janata Party, analysed the emerging political trends in Rajasthan's local elections, pointing to growing voter disillusionment with both major political parties. He noted that independent candidates secured twenty-five per cent of the seats across ten thousand wards, alongside an increase in their overall vote share over the past decade. Ranka pointed out that despite youth comprising a major voting demographic, mainstream parties failed to field adequate young and Gen Z candidates. He highlighted that key ministers facing public protests lost in their respective home districts. Clarifying the nature of the organisation, he stated, "Our focus right now is to continue working as a pressure group." Ranka underlined that their primary objective remains national engagement to improve government schools through initiatives like the School Thik Karo campaign across states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Punjab, remaining agnostic of upcoming state elections.