Dharamshala: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday, June 22, 2025, conducted a series of coordinated raids across Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation targeting Assistant Drug Controller (ADC) Nishant Sareen, his family, and associates. The probe stems from long-standing allegations of bribery, misuse of official position, and political patronage during Sareen’s tenure in the state’s pharmaceutical belt.
The raids covered five residential and commercial properties, including the premises of Sareen’s father-in-law, Ramesh Kumar Gupta, and an alleged associate, Komal Khanna. All three are under scrutiny for allegedly facilitating the acceptance of bribes and laundering proceeds of crime.
Origins of the Case: FIR, Arrest, and Reinstatement
The case originated in August 2019 with an FIR registered by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) of Himachal Pradesh. At the time, Nishant Sareen was serving as ADC in Baddi, Solan district — a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
Investigations revealed that Sareen allegedly accepted bribes from pharma companies operating in Baddi in exchange for regulatory leniency, approvals, and turning a blind eye to compliance violations. He was arrested by the Himachal Vigilance Bureau in September 2019, and later charge-sheeted alongside Komal Khanna. Sareen was granted bail in October 2019, and controversially reinstated in 2024 as ADC in Dharamshala.
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The ED has now taken up the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focusing on proceeds of crime generated through these alleged bribes.
Political Patronage and Alleged Abuse of Power Under the Scanner
Sources in the ED indicate that the agency is also probing allegations of political protection and patronage received by Sareen, which may have enabled his reinstatement despite serious charges pending against him.
According to officials, there are complaints of extortion, illegal gratification, and coercive tactics used by Sareen to pressure pharmaceutical companies. The probe is expected to focus on financial transactions, property acquisitions, and possible shell entities used to launder illicit funds collected during his service.
Though the Office of the Drug Controller in Himachal Pradesh is tasked with health safety and pharmaceutical oversight, the Sareen case has once again raised questions about regulatory integrity in India’s booming but loosely monitored pharma sector.
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Searches Conducted, More Action Likely
The ED’s searches have reportedly yielded financial documents, digital records, and evidence of property ownership under scrutiny. While no immediate arrests have been made in the current phase, officials said the investigation is active and ongoing, and more action is likely in the coming weeks.
As of now, Sareen or his legal representatives have not issued any statement in response to the ED’s action. The case is seen as a critical test of regulatory accountability, especially in states like Himachal Pradesh where pharma companies operate under close government monitoring.