Mumbai CBI Raids CDSCO Office: Alleged Bribery Scandal Uncovered
Mumbai, 6th April 2024: In a significant development, the Mumbai unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended three officials, including an assistant drugs controller and a drug inspector, associated with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in connection with an alleged bribery scandal. The investigation, prompted by credible information, uncovered a scheme where private individuals purportedly facilitated bribes on behalf of the accused officials – assistant drugs controller Arvind Hiwale, drugs inspector Devendra Nath, and subordinate staff member Nageshwar Sabbani, all stationed at the CDSCO office in Panvel.
The bribery racket purportedly involved the collection of illicit payments from customs house agents to expedite the issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs) for their clients, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, exporters, and importers. Upon conducting search operations at the premises of one of the accused, the CBI seized a significant sum of ₹46.7 lakh in cash, along with gold and silver jewellery valued at ₹27.8 lakh, according to CBI sources.
The investigation commenced following credible intelligence suggesting pervasive corruption within the Panvel office of the assistant drugs controller of the CDSCO. Acting swiftly upon receiving this information, a team comprising CBI officers, vigilance officers, and independent witnesses conducted a surprise inspection at the assistant drugs controller’s office. During this operation, over ₹1.52 lakh in cash was recovered from the possession of public servants and private individuals present at the scene.
In subsequent interrogations, the implicated public servants and associated private individuals reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the origins and purpose of the recovered funds. It is alleged that this cash, amounting to ₹1.52 lakh, was unlawfully received by certain public servants as bribes from agents or their representatives in exchange for expediting the issuance of NOCs.
The CBI’s anti-corruption branch, prompted by formal complaints from various agents and representatives, swiftly filed a first information report (FIR) against the three public servants and three private individuals identified as Sarvesh Gaikwad, Dyaneshwar Konde, and Datta Patade. This development underscores the agency’s commitment to combating corruption and upholding integrity within regulatory bodies tasked with ensuring public health and safety.
