The Puducherry government has suspended Drugs Inspector E. Anandakirouchenane as part of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him, following the registration of several cases pertaining to the illegal manufacturing, stocking, and sale of counterfeit drugs in the Union Territory (UT).

An order issued by Secretary to Government (Health) Choudhary Mohammed Yasin on July 23 stated that Anandakirouchenane, as Drugs Controller, was unable to stop the illegal manufacturing of drugs, despite complaints of such activities occurring in the territory.

He has failed to conduct regular field visits and collect data regarding unregistered and unlicensed drug manufacturing units either as a “practice of deliberate omission” or “wilful neglect.” Such “systematic, prolonged, continued negligence” has allowed the sustenance of fake medicine manufacturing units in Puducherry, the order said.

The order noted that Anandakirouchenane was notified as the licensing/controlling authority of the Department of Drugs Control, Puducherry, in 2022. From the year of his designation as Drugs Inspector, there had been “intermittent news reports highlighting fake/counterfeit drug menace in the territory.” Many drug manufacturing units continued to operate illegally but the Drugs Controller could not take definitive action against such violators until recently, the order said.

According to sources, the government had decided to initiate action against the officer after the busting of two more illegal units a few weeks ago. Last year, the Puducherry police had arrested 26 persons for their involvement in the manufacture of counterfeit drugs following raids conducted at 13 locations in Puducherry. The case was later handed over to the CBI.

Just a few weeks ago, two more units were busted for manufacturing counterfeit drugs. The drugs were reportedly smuggled even to foreign countries.

Published - July 25, 2026 03:14 pm IST