Chandigarh: ED raids premises of Himachal Assistant Drug Controller

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Chandigarh Zone, has launched a major crackdown on alleged corruption involving a senior official of Himachal Pradesh’s drug control department. The agency conducted search operations on June 22 and 23 at seven premises linked to Nishant Sareen, Assistant Drug Controller, Dharamshala, and his relatives and associates.

The raids are part of an ongoing probe into alleged misuse of official position, corruption, and bribery during Sareen’s previous tenure as Assistant Drug Controller in Baddi — a prominent pharmaceutical hub in Himachal Pradesh.

Among locations searched was Sareen’s upscale residence in Omaxe Cassia, New Chandigarh, where ED officials reportedly discovered over 60 bottles of liquor in violation of the excise laws. The search operations yielded a significant haul of evidence, including drug manufacturing and sale licences, show-cause notices, pharmaceutical clearance documents, property records and digital devices suspected to contain incriminating material.

Officials confirmed that two vehicles valued at approximately Rs 32 lakh were seized and more than 40 bank accounts and fixed deposits belonging to Sareen and his family were frozen. Besides, three bank lockers were secured during operation, officials said.