Surat Medical Store Owner Arrested After FDA Raid
A medical store owner in Surat has been arrested for allegedly repackaging an animal supplement as medicine for children and selling it at twice the price. The arrest followed a joint operation by the Surat Special Operations Group (SOG) and officials from the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA).
The accused, identified as Mohammad Sajid Ibrahim Mulla, 51, who owns Shantinath Medical Store, was arrested after officials raided his shop on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsinh Nakum confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, detailing the alleged operation.
According to police, Mulla allegedly transferred a liquid veterinary supplement intended for animals into smaller bottles and labelled them as a paediatric product. The bottles were then reportedly sold as Himalaya Liv.52 Drops, a product marketed for children, despite containing a liquid meant for veterinary use.
How the Alleged Repackaging Operation Worked
Police said the accused allegedly used large one-litre and five-litre cans of Himalaya Liv.52 Protec Liquid Veterinary Feed Supplement. He reportedly transferred the liquid manually into smaller bottles of 60 ml and 100 ml before applying counterfeit labels bearing the name Himalaya Liv.52 Drops.
The alleged relabelling was intended to make the veterinary supplement appear to be medicine suitable for children, police said.
“He would extract the liquid from large one-litre and five-litre cans of Himalaya Liv.52 Protec Liquid Veterinary Feed Supplement and manually fill it into 60 ml and 100 ml bottles. He would then affix counterfeit labels for Himalaya Liv.52 Drops onto these bottles,” DCP Nakum said.
The alleged substitution raises concerns about consumers being misled about the identity and intended use of a product sold as medicine. Parents purchasing the bottles could have believed they were buying a paediatric product rather than a supplement formulated for animals.
Police further alleged that the accused sold the repackaged product at twice its price. During the operation, officials seized materials and other items valued at Rs 31,195.
Police Urge Consumers to Seek Medical Help if Needed
Following the raid and arrest, police appealed to people who may have purchased the suspected product and experienced adverse health effects to seek medical treatment immediately.
Authorities also advised consumers to verify the authenticity and quality of medicines with their doctors and to take medicines strictly as prescribed. The advisory highlights the importance of checking product labels and ensuring that medicines come from reliable sources.
The police have not provided further details in the supplied account about the number of bottles allegedly sold, the number of customers who may have purchased them or whether any children suffered health complications.
The case has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with counterfeit medicine labelling and the unauthorised repackaging of products intended for a different use.
FIR Registered Under Multiple BNS Sections
An FIR has been registered at Athwa police station against the accused under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The charges include Section 123, relating to causing hurt by means of poison or other harmful substances; Section 125, concerning rash or negligent acts endangering human life; Section 336, which deals with forgery; and Section 278, relating to selling a drug as a different drug.
The investigation will determine the full circumstances of the alleged repackaging and sale, including the extent of the operation and whether other individuals were involved.
The arrest followed coordinated action by the SOG and drug-control officials, who raided the medical store and seized materials linked to the case.
The incident serves as a reminder for consumers to exercise caution when purchasing medicines, particularly products intended for children. Authorities have urged people to consult qualified medical professionals and use medicines only as directed.
The allegations against Mulla remain subject to the legal process. Police have yet to disclose further details about the investigation or any additional action planned in connection with the case.
