The investigation into a fake plasma racket has widened, with two Maharashtra-based blood banks coming under scrutiny for allegedly supplying spurious and substandard plasma to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. The development follows the arrest of four persons by Ahmedabad Rural Police on June 22 for allegedly manufacturing fake plasma using saline water, deteriorated plasma and colouring agents.
According to a senior police officer, one of the blood banks under investigation is located in Vashi, while the other is situated in a prominent Mumbai locality. Investigators are examining the role of these blood banks in the supply chain and are trying to establish whether the plasma supplied by them reached patients. Police officials said they are tracing the movement of plasma units and are also investigating whether any individual suffered harm due to the alleged use of spurious plasma.
The case surfaced after the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) rejected plasma samples associated with an Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical company. Following the rejection, the company traced the source of the material and lodged a complaint with Changodar Police, leading to the investigation.
Police have identified Dinesh Chaudhary (32), a former plasma collection executive from Banaskantha, as the alleged mastermind of the racket. Another key accused, Mohan Gajwad (32) of Vashi, allegedly operated a blood bank and supplied compromised plasma. Investigators said the accused used their knowledge of blood bank operations, plasma collection procedures and logistics networks to run the racket.
Preliminary findings suggest that at least 114 units of spurious plasma were sold during the last six months, with each unit allegedly being sold for around ₹5,000. The two other accused arrested in the case are Rafik Khalifa and Jitendra Solanki, both residents of Dholka.
As the probe progresses, police are scrutinising procurement records, hospital purchase documents and pharmaceutical transactions to determine the full extent of the operation and identify everyone involved.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the fake plasma case, the Gujarat government has ordered district authorities to intensify monitoring of blood banks, plasma collection centres and related healthcare units across the state. Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya said surveillance and control mechanisms would be strengthened to prevent incidents involving tampered or fake plasma being supplied to blood banks and pharmaceutical companies.
Pansheriya warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found compromising patient safety. “No one who compromises patients’ health will be let off. Strict action will be taken against those accountable,” he said. The minister added that a comprehensive investigation covering all aspects of the case has been initiated and authorities are examining the role of every individual allegedly involved in the malpractice.
Also Read: Genuine Blood Plasma Swapped With Fake In Ahmedabad, 4 Arrested https://www.vibesofindia.com/blood-plasma-adulteration-racket-busted-ahmedabad-four-arrested/
