Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the codeine-based cough syrup case, alleging that those arrested in connection with the case have links to the opposition party. 

The Chief Minister said the investigation is ongoing and asserted that once it is completed, the truth will be clear “like milk is milk and water is water.”

Speaking to the media ahead of the Winter Session of the state Assembly, Yogi Adityanath said that the accused arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) and the Uttar Pradesh Police are connected to the Samajwadi Party. 

He accused the SP leadership of attempting to shield those involved by politicising the issue.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came after Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the government was trying to divert attention from the case and protect certain individuals.

Responding to this, Yogi said the SP had earlier also attempted to shield wrongdoing in similar cases, but assured that his government would not compromise on law enforcement.

Yogi Adityanath emphasised that the investigation is being conducted impartially and with full seriousness. He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly.

Senior officials from the police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been included in the SIT to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

He further stated that the probe would reveal how much illegal wealth was generated through the alleged racket and who all were involved. “No one will be spared, irrespective of political affiliation,” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, the case also faced a legal development, with the Allahabad High Court declining to intervene in the matter. The High Court dismissed petitions filed by some of the accused seeking relief, including a plea for quashing the FIR.

The court refused to interfere at this stage of the investigation.

According to official sources, a total of 23 petitions related to the case were filed from districts including Sonbhadra, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Basti, Ghaziabad, Kanpur Nagar, Jaunpur, and Varanasi, all of which have been rejected by the High Court.

The codeine-based cough syrup case has triggered a political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh, even as the state government maintains that strict action will be taken against all those found guilty, regardless of their political connections.