Codeine scam kingpin Shubham declared fugitive in 1 more case

Varanasi: A local court has declared Shubham Jaiswal, the kingpin of a codeine cough syrup smuggling syndicate, a fugitive in one more case filed at Kotwali police station. This follows similar declarations in cases at Rohaniya and Sarnath police stations. Meanwhile, Kotwali cops have finalised the seizure of Rs 22 crore worth of properties belonging to three of Shubham's associates.Shubham, who failed to appear in court, was declared a fugitive by the fast-track court of additional sessions judge Manoj Kumar on Saturday. DCP Kashi Zone Gaurav Banswal said authorities will now seek Shubham's extradition from Dubai, where he is suspected to be hiding, via a red corner notice. The Kotwali cops will also start seizing his properties, having already initiated the process DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar said the process to issue a red corner notice against Jaiswal is already underway in the Rohaniya and Sarnath cases, following his fugitive status in both.After Sonbhadra Police busted the racket smuggling codeine cough syrup to countries like Bangladesh for narcotic uses in Oct 2025, the first case against Shubham and 27 others was lodged in Varanasi on Nov 15, 2025. Shubham's father Bhola Prasad and several other accused in this case have already been arrested, while properties worth several crores of many accused have also been forfeited. Cops are on the hunt to nab Shubham's accomplices, targeting the empire they have built with illicit codeine syrup earnings. A list of assets worth Rs 22.28 crore has been prepared, belonging to jailed duo Vikas Singh Narwe and Prateek Gujarati, and fugitive Prashant UpadhyayOn the pursuance of Kotwali cops, the court also issued a notice for the forfeiture of Vikas's immovable property worth Rs 10.19 lakh, a SUV worth Rs 25 lakh, a car worth Rs 4 lakh and deposit of Rs 27,338 in his bank account.The authorities are set to seize assets worth crores belonging to Prateek and Prashant. This includes Prateek's Rs 1.38 crore property and Rs 50,625 bank balance, and Prashant's Rs 20.04 crore property and Rs 44.20 lakh bank balance. ACP Vijay Pratap Singh said the seizure is court-ordered and will happen soon.