New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) – In a significant development, approximately 40 bank and fixed-deposit accounts were frozen, and two SUVs were seized during raids on an assistant drug controller from Himachal Pradesh who is being investigated for extortion and bribery, according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Over five dozen "unaccounted" liquor bottles were also discovered, the ED reported on Thursday.
Raids targeted Nishant Sareen, the current assistant drug controller (ADC) in Dharamshala, as well as his father-in-law, Ramesh Kumar Gupta, and associate Komal Khanna. These actions were initiated by the federal investigative agency on June 22, spanning seven residential, commercial, and government premises in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
The money-laundering investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has its roots in a First Information Report (FIR) filed in August 2019 by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) of the Himachal Pradesh Police. This happened while Sareen was serving as ADC in Baddi.
The police case highlighted allegations of Sareen's misuse of his position for personal benefits, focusing on corruption and bribery, stated the ED in an official statement.
Efforts to contact Sareen for a response to the ED's allegations were unsuccessful.
In September 2019, the SV&ACB arrested Sareen, eventually filing charges against him and Khanna. By October, Sareen was granted bail and subsequently appointed as ADC in Dharamshala in 2024.
Further complicating matters, Haryana Police registered another FIR against Sareen and his associates in 2022. This case revolves around accusations of forging a partnership deed at Zhenia Pharmaceuticals in Panchkula, modifying Komal Khanna's share from 50% to 95%, alongside allegations of threats and intimidation orchestrated by Sareen and Khanna.
The ED highlighted ongoing investigations into complaints against Sareen for extortion in his role as ADC, Dharamshala. Financial interactions between his family and pharmaceutical firms are also under scrutiny.
Documents, including drug licenses, show-cause notices, and property records, were seized along with digital devices like mobile phones, laptops, and pen drives during searches.
Seizures under the PMLA encompassed two SUVs valued at Rs 32 lakh, over 40 bank and fixed deposit accounts, and three lockers associated with Sareen and his family.
Moreover, more than 60 unaccounted liquor bottles were discovered at Sareen's residence in Omaxe Cassia, New Chandigarh.
During the state police's probe, Sareen faced accusations of accepting bribes from pharmaceutical companies situated in Baddi, a notable pharmaceutical hub in Himachal Pradesh.
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