Shimla
Nishant Sareen, a senior health official in Himachal Pradesh, has been exposed for defying the Supreme Court of India and using his political and bureaucratic connections to avoid arrest. Despite his bail being denied in April 2023, Sareen continued to draw salaries for almost a year while attending his post as Assistant Drug Controller at the state headquarters here.
Sareen’s bail application was rejected by the Supreme Court in April 2023, yet he remained in public office in the state capital. He was accused of cheating pharmaceutical companies in an FIR registered in Panchkula, Haryana, in August 2022.
On May 28, 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court uploaded the orders on its website revealing that Sareen evaded arrest with the help of certain police officials.
The court documents noted, “This accused, Nishant Sareen, had approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court for anticipatory bail, but his petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C. was dismissed by the Supreme Court in SLP-1120-2023 on 11.04.2023.”
The orders further directed that the investigation of FIR No. 215, registered under Sections 177, 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, 506, and 120-B of the IPC at Police Station Sector-20, Panchkula, be handed over to the CBI.
“Needless to add that CBI would also look into the role of concerned Haryana Police officials. The Director of CBI may consider constituting an SIT of CBI, headed by a senior officer, as grave allegations have been levelled against Senior Haryana Police officials,” the court stated, taking strict action against the laxity of the police officials who assisted the accused.
The court directed the Haryana police to act promptly, instructing the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, to hand over the complete record of case FIR No. 215 to the CBI immediately. Additionally, the concerned Illaqa Magistrate/Court at Panchkula was ordered to transmit all available records to the concerned CBI Court at Panchkula.
This is not the first time Nishant Sareen has been under investigation. In 2021, the state vigilance department raided at least seven locations in Himachal and Haryana with a team of 30 officials. Sareen had also faced arrest in previous corruption cases.
This case has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial and administrative systems, highlighting the troubling nexus between high-ranking officials and the political elite. The CBI’s involvement promises a thorough investigation to hold all parties accountable and restore public trust.