An arrest warrant has been issued against YouTuber Iftekhar Rafsan, popularly known as “Rafsan the ChotoBhai,” over allegations of marketing an unauthorised energy drink called “Blue.”
Bishuddho Khaddo Adalot Judge Alaul Akbar issued the order on Thursday evening.
Earlier, Mohammad Kamrul Hossain, a food inspector of the Food Safety Authority, appealed to the court, stating that “Blue” drinks were unauthorized. He mentioned that “Blue” had no approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), as it is neither classified as medicine nor as a consumable beverage.
On April 24, a mobile court conducted a raid at a factory in Cumilla producing “Blue” drinks associated with Rafsan. The raid resulted in a fine of Tk 30,000 for manufacturing and marketing electrolyte drinks without registration, both in powder and ready-to-drink form.
On December 7 last year, Rafsan announced the launch of his electrolyte drink “Blue.” Initially, he started marketing the drink in different locations around the country in two flavours: litchi and watermelon.