New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) The CBI has booked three accused and launched an investigation into illegal drug manufacturing by at least two companies in Puducherry, after getting a go-ahead from the Union Home Ministry, an official said.

The federal agency filed an FIR against Vivek Venkatesan, Amman Pharma, Puducherry; Raja, Puducherry; and A.K. Rana, Meenakshi Pharma, Puducherry, on the recommendation of the Puducherry government to take over the case, said the official.

CBI’s Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Yadav ordered the registration of FIR under penal provisions dealing with offences of criminal conspiracy, adulteration of drugs, cheating, illegal manufacture and sale of drugs, and spurious drugs.

The case was taken over by the CBI on the recommendation of the Puducherry government’s home department.

The FIR said, “… the investigation of Cr. No 27/2025, PS-CBCID, Puducherry, has been taken over by CBI by re-registering the same as Case RC-2182026A0003.”

Earlier, Under Secretary (Vigilance), Government of Puducherry, wrote a letter on December 12, 2025 and conveyed the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Puducherry, for investigation of all criminal cases registered in connection with illegal drug manufacturing, storage, distribution and allied offences detected at Mettupalayam and Sedarapet areas of the Union Territory, including related FIRs, by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said an official.

The Special Secretary (Home), Puducherry, in a letter written on December 31, 2025, requested the Director, CBI, to take over the investigation, the official said.

The Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in a letter on February 24, conveyed the ‘No Objection’ of the Ministry in taking over the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the official said.

While seeking a CBI probe into the case, the Puducherry government said that multiple arrests and seizure of incriminating materials by the police “reveal possible inter-State ramifications, complex supply chains, financial transactions, and involvement of multiple persons operating across different States, indicating the presence of organised criminal networks engaged in illegal drug manufacturing and distribution”.

Justifying its recommendation for a CBI probe, the Puducherry government said, “The investigation has also revealed the likelihood of illegal financial flows and organised activities having potential implications for public health, economic security, and national interest, with possible linkages extending beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the Union Territory of Puducherry.”

“The Crime Branch, Puducherry Police, has conducted commendable and effective investigation so far. However, it is felt that further investigation in the matter may need specialised multi-disciplinary expertise, inter-State coordination, Financial investigation capability, and possible international liaison capabilities of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has nationwide jurisdiction,” said the letter written to CBI Director.

–IANS

rch/uk