{
  "id": 39354,
  "title": "Delhi court orders framing of charges in codeine syrup seizure case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/delhi-court-orders-framing-of-charges-in-codeine-syrup-seizure-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T09:03:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-court-orders-framing-of-charges-in-codeine-syrup-seizure-case-101785661433419.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A man named Vipin Chawla faces charges in a Delhi court for allegedly possessing over 4,300 kg of codeine-based cough syrup. Special Judge Jitendra Pratap Singh ruled that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges against Chawla under the NDPS Act. The prosecution alleges that a raid on June 16, 2023 at a shop in Azadpur recovered 302 boxes containing 36,238 bottles of cough syrup, with a total weight of approximately 4,312 kg. This quantity exceeded the government's commercial limit of one kg for codeine. The court dismissed Chawla's defense, which claimed he was merely a manager and that the stock was being returned to a supplier following a government ban. The court found the storage premises unlicensed and noted Chawla provided the keys during the raid. Forensic reports showed Chawla's signatures on invoices, linking him to the procurement. The prosecution presented a chain of evidence including invoices, CDR connectivity, dealings with suppliers, lack of lawful records, and unauthorised storage. These factors collectively suggest Chawla's involvement in illegal procurement, storage, and distribution of the psychotropic substance. Codeine and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, both found in the seized cough syrups, are banned under the NDPS Act.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}