Assistant Drug Controller held in disproportionate assets case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Shimla, has arrested Nishant Sareen, Assistant Drug Controller in the Department of Health Safety and Regulation, in connection with a case related to assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The ED arrested him after summoning him for questioning.

In June this year, the ED, Chandigarh, had extensively searched seven residential, commercial and government premises in Haryana and Punjab linked to the accused, his family members and associates. These searches were part of an investigation into allegations that Sareen misused his official position for personal gains, corruption and bribery during his tenure as Assistant Drug Controller in Baddi.

During raids, the ED had seized several documents related to drug licences, pharmaceutical clearances, property papers and digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops and pen drives. The agency had also seized two vehicles worth around Rs 32 lakh, more than 40 bank accounts/fixed deposits and three lockers.

The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier registered a case of assets disproportionate to known sources of income against Sareen after a preliminary investigation based on an FIR that alleged he received undue benefits from pharmaceutical companies. The investigation revealed that between April 1, 2002, and August 21, 2019, Sareen had amassed assets 53.70 per cent more than his known sources of income. The total value of these assets was assessed at Rs 2,50,19,322, of which Rs 1,66,05,470 was considered disproportionate.

Since 2019, Sareen allegedly continued acquiring properties, including in Omaxe, Chandigarh, necessitating further investigation.