All 1,140 blood plasma units seized from the residence of alleged mastermind Dinesh Chaudhary in Ahmedabad district have been declared adulterated, of inferior quality, and unfit for human use, according to a forensic report submitted to the Ahmedabad Rural Police. Authorities have begun destroying the seized stock while expanding the investigation to at least seven blood banks across Maharashtra, officials confirmed on Monday, 29 June.

Forensic Findings

The forensic report, prepared by the Department of Pathology at B.J. Medical College, concluded that the seized plasma units failed to meet standards prescribed by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). 'The plasma was of very poor quality, posed a risk to human life and was not suitable for transfusion,' the report stated. Investigators say even the plasma that the accused allegedly sold as genuine had been adulterated before dispatch.

How the Adulteration Was Carried Out

According to police, the accused removed a portion of high-quality plasma from genuine units and mixed saline water into the remaining contents to restore the original volume, thereby degrading quality without altering the appearance of the packaging. Whenever fresh consignments arrived, adulterated units were substituted to match the pharmaceutical company's order count. The genuine plasma that was extracted was itself further adulterated before being sold to blood banks in Maharashtra, enabling the accused to increase volume and maximise profits.

Arrests and Maharashtra Links

Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat confirmed that four people have been arrested so far. The accused supplied adulterated plasma to Washim Blood Bank and Jalna Blood Bank in Maharashtra, and the owners of both facilities have been apprehended. 'After replacing the genuine plasma with fake plasma and stealing the original plasma, they also adulterated the original plasma. After adulterating it, the plasma was sent to two blood banks in Maharashtra,' Jat said. A fourth accused, Mohan Dajiba Gaikwad of Maharashtra, was arrested as the probe widened.

Probe Extends to Seven Maharashtra Facilities

According to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ahmedabad Rural Police, verification and questioning are also under way at Ahmednagar Blood Bank in Ahmednagar, Jeevanjyot Blood Bank in Dhule, Sanjivani Blood Bank in Nashik, Dhanvantari Blood Bank in Bhusawal, and Lions Blood Bank in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Investigators are examining whether operators at these facilities were involved in the racket.

Patient Safety and Regulatory Scrutiny

Jat said investigators are examining whether any adulterated plasma was transfused directly into patients or supplied onward to other blood banks. 'If the investigation establishes that any patient died or fell ill because of this, appropriate additional sections will be added to the case, and more accused will be named,' he said. Police have so far found no evidence that adulterated plasma reached any hospital or blood bank within Gujarat. The Gujarat Health Department has launched inspections of blood banks across the state. Investigators are also reviewing standard operating procedures to identify regulatory loopholes allegedly exploited by the accused, and say their findings will assist in framing recommendations to prevent similar offences.

How the Racket Was Uncovered

The case was cracked by the SOG following intelligence inputs pointing to a plasma adulteration operation targeting a pharmaceutical company in Changodar. Chaudhary, a former blood plasma collection executive with pharmaceutical firms, allegedly used his technical knowledge to orchestrate the scheme alongside transport personnel Jitendra Solanki and Rafik Khalifa, who allegedly diverted plasma consignments before delivery. A case has been registered at Changodar Police Station under Sections 316(3), 338(2), 125, 276, 328(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Items seized include a deep freezer, chemical bottles, a sealing machine, empty plasma bags, and a pick-up vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

With patient safety implications still being assessed and seven Maharashtra blood banks under scrutiny, the investigation is expected to widen further in the coming days.