Shimla/ Solan, Dec 11,
Special Judge Arvind Malhotra sentenced former drug inspector Kapil Dhiman, along with his father Laxman Dhiman and nephew Punit Dhiman, to rigorous imprisonment for amassing disproportionate wealth and engaging in a criminal conspiracy.
Kapil Dhiman was handed a three-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) sentence along with a fine of Rs 7 lakh. His father and nephew received two years of RI each and were fined Rs 2 lakh each. Authorities have also confiscated several properties, including a three-story building valued at Rs 15.26 lakh in Mandi, a fixed deposit of Rs 14.66 lakh belonging to Punit Dhiman, and a property worth Rs 35 lakh in Panchkula owned by Kapil Dhiman.
Noteworthy that the conviction was announced around 10 days ago but quantum of sentence was announced on Wednesday. The same was suspended too as per law, as imprisonment period is less than 3 years
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) initiated the investigation after receiving multiple complaints against Kapil Dhiman, who had served as a drug inspector and assistant controller in Solan and Sirmaur. An FIR was registered on December 14, 2012, to probe allegations that he had accumulated assets illegally between 2001 and 2012, issued improper licenses to pharmaceutical companies, and accepted bribes.
Following the FIR, the VACB conducted searches at Dhiman’s residence and properties linked to his relatives, recovering documents related to movable and immovable assets. Dhiman was arrested on December 16, 2012, and suspended three days later. He retired from service in June 2023.
The investigation reportedly revealed that Dhiman had acquired multiple properties, including flats in Solan and Panchkula, a commercial plot in Deonghat, and a brewery property in Surajpur. His assets also included luxury vehicles, motorcycles, gold, silver, and other valuable items. Additionally, he had established a pharmaceutical company, Lyra Lab Pvt Ltd, in Baddi, involving his nephew. Several properties were registered under his father’s name in Panchkula and Mandi districts.
Three other individuals – Dharmender Gulati, Sanjeev Aggarwal, and Sushil Goyal – accused of assisting Dhiman were acquitted due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the conspiracy.
This case highlights the corruption within regulatory bodies responsible for maintaining the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products. The court’s verdict underlines the need for stringent oversight to curb such malpractice.
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