No Death In UP Linked To Codeine Cough Syrup: CM Yogi; SP MLAs Stage Protest
He said the largest wholesaler involved in the scam, first arrested by STF in 2016, was issued a license when the SP was in power.
Published : December 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM IST
|Updated : December 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM IST
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday strongly rebutted allegations by Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey over "deaths" due to consumption of fake medicines and codeine syrup, asserting in the Assembly that no such case has come to the notice of the state government so far.
He said that cases related to illegal diversion of the syrup were being pursued under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the state government successfully defended its stand in court.
Launching a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath alleged that the largest wholesaler involved in the codeine syrup case, first arrested by the special task force (STF) in 2016, was issued a license when the SP government was in power. Referring to photographs circulating in the public domain, he said, "Whenever such issues come up nationally, some people immediately flee the country. I think the same may be happening with your people as well."
Replying to the issue raised by the opposition as soon as the House proceedings began, the chief minister said the matter appeared to be "politically motivated". "When an issue is raised unnecessarily, one is reminded of the saying 'Chor ke dadhi me tinka' (a guilty person feels the prick of straw in his beard)," he remarked. He said, "There is not a single case of death due to fake drugs reported in Uttar Pradesh till date," and added that enforcement agencies remain vigilant.
"From time to time, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) conducts raids and takes strict action against erring firms," Adityanath added. He also categorically said, "There has been no death in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine syrup. Cases related to illegal diversion of the syrup were being pursued under the NDPS Act, and the state government had successfully defended its stand in court."
Adityanath clarified that codeine syrup is not manufactured in Uttar Pradesh, and the state only has stockists and wholesalers. "Production takes place in states like Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The death cases that came to light were reported from other states and were linked to a syrup manufactured in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Calling the matter one of "illegal diversion, not adulteration," the chief minister said wholesalers from districts including Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur were involved in diverting the syrup to states and countries where prohibition exists, leading to its misuse. "Such medicines cannot be consumed without medical advice, especially by children," he said, adding that the syrup was commonly prescribed by doctors for cough. Detailing the action taken so far, Adityanath said the government had registered 79 cases, named 225 people and arrested 78 accused.
"Raids have been conducted at 134 firms. Transactions linked to this racket are under STF investigation, and if one goes deeper, links to leaders or functionaries of the Samajwadi Party emerge," he alleged.
Adityanath assured the House that no offender would be spared. "The government has fought this case in court and won. Do not worry, when the time comes, even bulldozer action will be taken (against the accused). Then do not raise slogans."
SP MLAs Stage Protest in Assembly Premises
Before the winter session of the Assembly, Samajwadi Party MLAs, led by Opposition Leader Mata Prasad Pandey, staged a strong protest in front of the statue of Chaudhary Charan Singh in the assembly premises. The legislators, carrying placards, raised slogans like "What is this relationship called?" accusing the government of failing to conduct a fair investigation into the cough syrup scam.
They said they were not satisfied with the investigation committee formed by the government. The health department and the government are complicit in the matter, which has prevented the truth from being revealed. The scam is linked to a major mafia, and the government is protecting it, they added.
SP MLA Ravidas Malhotra said the cough syrup scam should be investigated by a sitting judge. Calling it a very serious matter, he said the BJP-led state and central governments are responsible for it. The state's 250 million people are grappling with many serious problems, yet the government has limited the winter session to three days, preventing discussions on issues of public interest.
The party alleged a nexus between the government and the mafia, a point that its national president, Akhilesh Yadav, has consistently pointed out. Opposition leader Mata Prasad Pandey told ETV Bharat that the government has allocated very little time for the winter session. "Only two days have been set aside for discussions on public issues. Serious discussions on these issues are impossible in such a short time. This is why the Samajwadi Party is forced to protest," he added.
He further said the party wants to discuss issues like the cough syrup scam, power theft, the environment, payments to sugarcane farmers, the health system, and law and order in the House to seek answers from the government.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Lal Bihari Yadav, alleged that the government is handing over education to capitalists, depriving rural, poor and working-class children of teachers. "Education is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and cannot be commercialised. Both the central and state governments have a responsibility to ensure adequate spending on education," he added.
Meanwhile, SP MLA Sangram Yadav questioned the voters' list revision process, saying the government's intentions are unclear. He alleged that complaints are being received from several assembly constituencies, and BJP leaders themselves are making statements that large numbers of votes have been deleted and will continue to be deleted.
Yadav said there are 15.44 crore in the state, and the final voters' list has not been published yet. Despite this, the government is claiming that the names of 4 crore voters have been deleted, which raises serious questions about the transparency of the process.
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