Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 26: In a major crackdown on alleged corruption and misuse of office, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids across multiple locations linked to Nishant Sareen, Assistant Drug Controller (ADC) currently posted in Dharamshala. The two-day operation, carried out on June 22 and 23, covered seven premises spread across Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
The ED's action follows a money laundering probe initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stemming from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Himachal Pradesh Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. The FIR, filed under Section 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, relates to Sareen’s controversial tenure as ADC in Baddi—a pharmaceutical hub often under scrutiny for regulatory violations.
Sources within the agency confirmed that residential and official premises belonging to Sareen, his relatives, and close associates were searched. The raids yielded incriminating evidence including drug licences, regulatory notices, property papers, and digital records such as laptops, pen drives, and mobile devices.
In one of the more eye-catching recoveries, over 60 unaccounted liquor bottles were found at Sareen’s plush New Chandigarh residence in Omaxe Cassia. Additionally, two luxury vehicles worth an estimated Rs 32 lakh were seized, alongside the freezing of more than 40 bank accounts, fixed deposits, and three bank lockers connected to the official and his family.
Sareen, who was earlier arrested and charge-sheeted along with associate Komal Khanna, was transferred to Dharamshala in September 2024 after securing bail. However, controversy has followed him. In a separate matter, the Haryana Police had booked Sareen and others in 2022 for alleged forgery of partnership documents related to Zhenia Pharmaceuticals in Panchkula, along with charges of intimidation and criminal conspiracy.
Adding to the list of allegations, fresh complaints of extortion have emerged during Sareen’s current posting in Dharamshala, raising further questions about his financial links to several pharmaceutical companies.
As investigations intensify, the Enforcement Directorate is now examining the deeper financial trail of Sareen’s assets and alleged collusion with drug manufacturers. The case is likely to have far-reaching implications within regulatory and pharmaceutical circles in northern India.