TNR News Network
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into allegations of corruption against Assistant Drug Controller Nishant Sareen, with a day-long raid conducted at his Dharamshala office on Monday. The move comes in connection with a 2019 bribery case linked to Sareen’s tenure in Baddi, where he was accused of accepting kickbacks from pharmaceutical firms.
A nine-member ED team arrived at Sareen’s office, located adjacent to the laboratory of the Dharamshala Civil Hospital, early in the morning. Access to the premises was strictly restricted during the search, with even office staff barred from entry. Officials spent the entire day sifting through records, focusing on drug manufacturing licenses, quality inspections, and approval documents issued to pharmaceutical companies.
By late evening, the ED team left the premises carrying several files and documents, along with digital devices believed to contain critical evidence. Sources suggest that licensing records and inspection reports were among the materials seized.
This action follows a series of coordinated raids on Sunday at multiple locations linked to Sareen, including the residences and business establishments of his father-in-law and an associate. These searches were conducted in different towns, sparking speculation about further action in Dharamshala, which materialised on Monday.
The root of the investigation dates back to September 11, 2019, when the Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance Department registered a case against Sareen during his posting in Baddi, a key pharmaceutical hub. Despite the ongoing probe, Sareen was appointed Assistant Drug Controller in 2024, raising questions about oversight and accountability.
