Codeine scam: Kingpin to be declared fugitive

Varanasi: A police team has displayed notices at the Kayasth Tola house of codeine cough syrup smuggling syndicate kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, stating that if he does not appear before the court by March 30, he would be declared a fugitive.Following the court's order against key accused Shubham, who has been absconding since a case was registered at Kotwali police station, a public announcement was made via loudspeaker in Kayasth Tola and nearby areas. The police team also reached the spot and pasted the court notice on the main door. Shubham has been directed to appear on March 30, said ACP Vijay Pratap Singh.The Fast Track Court on Friday directed Shubham Jaiswal, proprietor of Shaily Traders, to appear on March 30. If he fails to appear, he will be declared a fugitive. Shubham's father, Bhola Prasad, is currently in Sonbhadra jail. Properties worth over Rs 45 crore of Shubham's father, who is currently lodged in jail following his arrest from Kolkata airport in Nov 2025, and their close aide Manoj Yadav have already been forfeited. On Feb 25, a team of Sonbhadra police had forfeited Rs 4.5 crore worth of immovable assets in Varanasi, linked to the codeine cough syrup smuggling case. The properties, including those belonging to Bhola Prasad, were forfeited.Sonbhadra police also displayed notices at the houses of Shubham and his two close aides, Nishant Kumar Gupta alias Ravi Gupta of Bhadohi and Vijay Gupta of Kabirchaura in Varanasi, asking them to appear before them to avoid forfeiture of their movable and immovable properties.Sonbhadra SP Abhishek Verma said after approval from the SAFEMA Court, Delhi, the immovable properties of Bhola at Bharlai in Shivpur and Jagdishpur in the Pindra area of Varanasi were forfeited under various sections of NDPS Act.