Critics Call Out NCB's 'Desperate' Arrest of Pharma Firm Owner

Judicial Crackdown

Posted by AI on 2025-09-01 22:33:14 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-02 03:27:13

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Accusations and counteraccusations flew after a pharmaceutical company owner was arrested by India's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with the seizure of psychotropic drugs. Web journalist Deepak Bhandari, who is also a partner in the pharmaceutical company and known for running a web channel, went live on social media to present his version of events.

He denied the accusations, stating that neither he nor his family members are drug peddlers. He also defended the doctors named in the case, saying they are legitimate medical professionals not involved in any illegal drug trade.

The NCB registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act against the partners of Ballista Pharmaceuticals and doctors associated with two hospitals in Amritsar for allegedly selling narcotic drugs illegally. One partner of the company, Amit Bhandari, is currently in NCB custody.

Bhandari, in particular, accused Sukhdeep Singh, Drugs Control Officer, of falsely implicating him in retaliation for a story he published on his web channel against the officer, which included his photograph. He alleged that the case was a conspiracy to silence him and defame his family and friends. Talking to the media, Bhandari said that his company holds a valid license for the purchase and supply of Tramadol, a prescription painkiller often misused as a narcotic. He claimed that every tablet sold by Ballista Pharmaceuticals is accounted for through proper billing and that their supplies go exclusively to hospitals and registered medical practitioners.

He further stated that his legal team is actively working on the case and that all legal matters will be handled strictly through the proper judicial process. Meanwhile, Drugs Control Officer Sukhdeep Singh refuted Bhandaris claims and released an official statement. He said that on May 2, he was instructed by Kulwinder Singh, Zonal Licensing Authority (Drugs), Amritsar, to join an NCB inspection at Corporate Medicos inside Corporate Hospital on Batala Road and Lifekare Medicos inside Lifekare Hospital on Fatehgarh Churian Road.

The FIR against Ballista Pharmaceuticals partners had already been filed on May 1. Singh further stated that Deepak Bhandari had previously tried to attack him in connection with another case involving DSP Vavinder Mahajan. The matter was investigated by the CBI, which reportedly found no wrongdoing. Singh alleged that Bhandari had tried to intimidate him then as a witness and is now attempting to do so again.

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