Drug inspector sentenced to 3-yr rigorous imprisonment

Kapil Dhiman received a sentence of three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 7 lakh, while Laxman and Punit Dhiman were each sentenced to two years of RI and a fine of Rs 2 lakh each. Additionally, a three-storey building worth Rs 15.26 lakh at Kingas village in Mandi, owned by Laxman Dhiman, besides a fixed deposit and bank balance of Rs 14.66 lakh belonging to Punit Dhiman, have been confiscated and vested with the state government. Property valued at Rs 35 lakh, located in Amarawati Enclave, Panchkula, and owned by Kapil Dhiman, has also been confiscated.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) launched an investigation following unanimous complaints against Kapil Dhiman, who had served as a drug inspector and assistant controller in Solan and Sirmaur. Allegations suggested that Kapil Dhiman had accumulated wealth through illicit means. On December 14, 2012, the VACB registered an FIR and initiated a thorough probe for the period 2001 to 2012. The FIR also alleged that Kapil Dhiman had received illegal gratification and issued certain licenses to pharmaceutical companies without following proper procedures.

Following the FIR, the bureau searched Kapil Dhiman's residence and the properties of his relatives, seizing documents related to movable and immovable assets. He was arrested on December 16, 2012, and suspended on December 19, 2012. He, however, retired in June 2023.

The investigation revealed that Kapil Dhiman had accumulated several properties, including flats in Sugandha Apartment (Solan), Amarwati Enclave (Panchkula), Brewary (Surajpur), and a commercial plot in Deonghat. He also acquired luxury vehicles, motorcycles, gold jewellery, gold biscuits, silver jewellery, expensive silver artefacts, liquor and wristwatches. Furthermore, Kapil Dhiman had involved his nephew in a pharmaceutical company, Lyra Lab Pvt Ltd, based in Baddi. He acquired land and assets in the name of his father Laxman Dhiman in villages Kot (Panchkula) and Hansu (Mandi), said VACB Deputy District Attorney Hemant Chaudhary.

Three other individuals — Dharmender Gulati, Sanjeev Aggarwal, and Sushil Goyal who were booked for aiding Dhiman in earning disproportionate assets — were acquitted by the court due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the criminal conspiracy.

This case highlights the large-scale corruption that has plagued the regulatory department, which is responsible for ensuring the production of safe and high-quality medicines.