New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has widened its probe into the multi-crore Puducherry counterfeit medicine racket and summoned a 2012-batch Haryana-cadre IPS officer for questioning over allegations that he promised relief to the prime accused in ongoing CBI cases in exchange for a hefty bribe.
The development comes just days after the agency arrested two individuals, including a Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector, in connection with an alleged bribery network linked to the ₹5,000-crore counterfeit medicines scam.
According to sources, the IPS officer, currently serving as a Regional Director with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been directed to appear before investigators on Friday.
Alleged Demand of ₹3 Crore for Securing Relief
CBI sources alleged that the officer approached N. Raja alias Valliappan alias Rajasekhar, the prime accused in the counterfeit medicine racket, and claimed he could arrange relief in the agency’s investigations through his contacts within the CBI.
Investigators suspect that the officer demanded ₹3 crore for facilitating favourable treatment in the ongoing cases.
Sources further claimed that Raja had already paid ₹1 crore as an advance, believing that intervention from influential contacts could help him secure relief from the legal proceedings.
The agency is now examining the exact nature of the interactions, the money trail, and whether any other officials were involved in the alleged conspiracy.
IPS Officer Already Identified by Investigators
Officials familiar with the investigation said the officer has already been identified and his parent department has been informed.
“We have identified him and, after informing his department, have summoned him to ascertain further details regarding the allegations,” a source associated with the investigation said.
The questioning is expected to focus on the alleged demand for illegal gratification, communication records, and links with intermediaries named in the case.
FIR Registered Against Delhi Police Inspector and Others
On June 8, the CBI registered a fresh FIR against:
- N. Raja alias Valliappan alias Rajasekhar, prime accused in the counterfeit drug racket
- Pradeep Kumar Singh, Inspector in Delhi Police Crime Branch’s Southern Range
- Rajkumar alias Madhanraj, alleged intermediary
- Unknown public servants
- Other private individuals
According to the FIR, Raja allegedly attempted to influence ongoing CBI investigations through a network of intermediaries and public servants.
Hawala Route Used for ₹1 Crore Advance Payment
Investigators alleged that Raja arranged an initial payment of ₹1 crore through hawala channels.
The CBI stated that Inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh received the money through a hawala operator and subsequently passed a substantial portion of the amount to an individual named Prabhat, who is reportedly acquainted with the IPS officer under scrutiny.
The agency said Singh retained approximately ₹25 lakh, while investigators recovered ₹24.70 lakh during the arrests.
According to the CBI, the ₹1 crore represented only the first instalment of a much larger payoff arrangement.
How the Alleged Bribery Network Operated
The FIR provides a detailed account of how the alleged bribery plan unfolded.
According to investigators:
- Following registration of the fresh CBI case, Raja began searching for contacts within the agency.
- He allegedly came into contact with Inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh.
- Singh reportedly informed Raja that a senior officer could arrange relief in exchange for money.
- On May 14, Raja and Rajkumar allegedly met Singh at Aerocity in Delhi.
- Singh then allegedly escorted them to meet an unidentified senior public servant whose office was located nearby.
The FIR claims the public servant assured Raja that favourable relief could be arranged in exchange for payment.
Advance of ₹1.5 Crore Allegedly Sought
Investigators further alleged that on May 16, Raja informed his wife that the senior public servant had agreed to help in return for ₹3 crore and had demanded an advance payment of ₹1.5 crore.
Following this conversation:
- Raja allegedly began arranging funds.
- Rajkumar reportedly travelled to Vadodara to coordinate delivery mechanisms with Singh.
- Both later travelled to Delhi.
- Raja instructed his wife to keep money ready.
- A hawala operator based in Chennai was contacted to facilitate transfer of funds.
The ₹1 crore advance was reportedly scheduled to be delivered to Inspector Singh in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area on June 8.
However, before the transaction could be completed, CBI teams intercepted the operation and arrested the accused persons.
Counterfeit Medicine Racket Worth ₹5,000 Crore
The counterfeit and spurious medicine operation first came to light during extensive raids conducted by the Puducherry Police and the Crime Branch-CID last year.
Investigators seized:
- Massive quantities of counterfeit medicines
- Raw materials used in manufacturing fake drugs
- Packaging materials allegedly used to mimic genuine pharmaceutical products
The scale of the operation led authorities to estimate the racket’s value at nearly ₹5,000 crore.
Raja Arrested Last Year
Prime accused Raja was arrested in December 2025 following the discovery of the counterfeit drug network.
Subsequent investigations reportedly uncovered links extending beyond the manufacturing and distribution chain.
Puducherry Police later indicated that several influential individuals, including political figures, had come under scrutiny during the investigation.
Given the complexity and wider ramifications of the case, the probe was eventually transferred to the CBI.
CBI Registered Fresh Case in March
After taking over the investigation, the CBI formally registered a fresh case against Raja in March 2026.
Since then, the agency has been examining financial transactions, business operations, political links, and alleged attempts to influence investigative proceedings.
The latest summons to the Haryana-cadre IPS officer marks a significant escalation in the probe as investigators seek to determine whether serving public officials were involved in attempts to manipulate the course of justice.
Investigation Continues
The CBI is expected to further scrutinise:
- Communication records between the accused persons
- Hawala transactions
- Financial trails linked to the alleged bribery arrangement
- Possible involvement of additional public servants
- Alleged attempts to influence investigative and judicial processes
Officials indicated that further action would depend on the evidence emerging during questioning and forensic examination of financial records.
Read also: Haryana ₹590 Crore Bank Fraud Probe Reaches Top Bureaucracy; CBI To Question 5 IAS Officers
