Voice samples of accused match with clip in PPE scam

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Tussle over bribe

Agent Prithvi Singh was allegedly willing to pay Rs 3 lakh bribe for clearing a Rs 1 cr PPE kit order

Dr Ajay Gupta, former Director of Health Services, allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh

Prithvi recorded the conversation and sent it to Dr Gupta, probably to blackmail him

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 22

The voice samples of accused Dr Ajay Gupta, former Himachal Pradesh Director of Health Services, and agent Prithvi Singh have matched with a conversation in an audio clip that has been the basis of an investigation into the alleged PPE kit purchase scam.

In the 43-second clip, Dr Gupta is purportedly heard demanding Rs 5 lakh bribe for clearing a supply order of 6,500 PPE (personal protective equipment) kits worth over Rs 1 crore.

Prithvi had sent the recording to Dr Gupta on May 19, a day before the Director of Health Services (DHS) was arrested by the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

Sources said Prithvi was allegedly willing to pay Rs 3 lakh, but Dr Gupta was adamant on Rs 5 lakh. The possibility of blackmailing the DHS through the audio clip to clear more supply orders could not be ruled out, they said.

The forensic examination of over half a dozen mobile phones seized by the VACB revealed that there were at least three more audio recordings, besides WhatsApp chats, that indicated dispute over the bribe amount.

Arrested on May 20, Dr Gupta was bailed out on May 30. Prithvi was taken into custody on June 6. Both have been booked under sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.