Gangster Act invoked against 10 accused in codeine cough syrup smuggling case in Varanasi
Varanasi: Sarnath Police have invoked the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act against 10 accused, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with a case relating to the alleged smuggling and storage of codeine-containing cough syrup.
The action has been taken in connection with an FIR registered at Sarnath Police Station under FIR No. 0623/2025 under sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 208, 319(2), 61(2) BNS and 8, 21, 25, 29, 26(D) NDPS Act. The case pertains to allegations that Lokesh Agarwal and his co-accused had formed an organised gang allegedly involved in the illegal smuggling and storage of codeine-containing cough syrup for financial gain.
Following the approval of the Commissioner of Police, strict legal action has been taken against all 10 accused by registering FIR No. 351/2026 under Section 3(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 at Sarnath Police Station.
The accused have been identified as Lokesh Agarwal, Vishnu Kumar Pandey, Prateek Kumar, Suresh Chandra Gupta, Faizur Rehman, Vinod Agarwal, Satyendra Kumar Sahu, Mohammad Saif, Akash Pathak and Manish Kumar Singh.
Several cases have already been registered against the members of the above gang under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and BNS at Sarnath Police Station, Kotwali Police Station, and Rohaniya Commissionerate, Varanasi. Gangster Act proceedings have already been initiated against several accused, including the gang leader.
(With inputs from ANI)
