Shimla, Aug 17
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Health Secretary of the state, requiring them to address serious allegations of corruption and disproportionate assets involving former Drug Controller Navneet Marwah.
The High Court’s directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Narendra Sharma, the President of Vedanta Foundation, which raises significant concerns regarding Marwah’s actions during his ten-year tenure.
The division bench, led by Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Satyen Vaidya, has instructed the state officials to file their responses by August 29.
The petition asserts that Marwah neglected his official duties, leading to extensive corruption within the state’s pharmaceutical sector. It claims that Marwah’s actions have severely impacted the industry, forcing many drug traders to either relocate from the state or shut down their operations altogether.
A particularly serious allegation is that despite directives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), no investigation was initiated into Marwah’s activities. The petition further contends that Marwah used his official position to accumulate significant wealth, as evidenced by the extravagant arrangements for his daughter’s wedding, which was held at three different venues. Additionally, he is accused of soliciting large sums of money from the pharmaceutical sector under the pretext of “shagun.”
Another point of concern raised in the PIL is Marwah’s son’s art studio in Chandigarh, where it is alleged that members of the pharmaceutical industry were coerced into purchasing paintings at inflated prices, effectively laundering black money. Despite numerous complaints, the petition states that no investigative agency has examined these transactions.
The petitioner has called for a comprehensive investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or the Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) to look into these accusations. The High Court’s notice represents a pivotal moment in this case, as it seeks accountability from the state’s top officials for allegedly protecting substandard pharmaceutical companies and failing to take action against Marwah.
The outcome of this case could have significant repercussions for the state’s pharmaceutical industry and its regulatory framework. The court’s forthcoming decision on the petitioner’s demands will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
