Ex-Drug Inspector, Family Sentenced for Corruption and Amassing Illicit Wealth

Special Judge Arvind Malhotra has sentenced former drug inspector Kapil Dhiman, his father Laxman Dhiman, and nephew Punit Dhiman to rigorous imprisonment for accumulating disproportionate wealth and engaging in a criminal conspiracy.

Kapil Dhiman received three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) along with a fine of ₹7 lakh, while his father and nephew were sentenced to two years of RI each and fined ₹2 lakh each. Several properties have been confiscated, including a three-story building in Mandi valued at ₹15.26 lakh, a ₹14.66 lakh fixed deposit belonging to Punit Dhiman, and a ₹35 lakh property in Panchkula owned by Kapil Dhiman. Although the sentences were announced earlier, their execution has been suspended, as per legal provisions, because the imprisonment terms are less than three years.

Details of the Investigation
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) initiated an inquiry after multiple complaints were filed against Kapil Dhiman, who served as a drug inspector and assistant controller in Solan and Sirmaur. An FIR registered on December 14, 2012, alleged that Dhiman had illegally acquired assets between 2001 and 2012, issued improper licenses to pharmaceutical companies, and accepted bribes. Searches conducted at his residence and properties linked to his relatives uncovered extensive movable and immovable assets.

The investigation revealed Dhiman owned multiple properties, including flats in Solan and Panchkula, a commercial plot in Deonghat, and a brewery property in Surajpur. His wealth included luxury vehicles, motorcycles, gold, silver, and other valuables. He had also established a pharmaceutical company, Lyra Lab Pvt Ltd, in Baddi with his nephew’s involvement. Several properties were found to be registered under his father’s name in Mandi and Panchkula districts.

Three individuals – Dharmender Gulati, Sanjeev Aggarwal, and Sushil Goyal – accused of aiding Dhiman, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the conspiracy.

Judicial Observations
The case underscores the deep-rooted corruption within regulatory bodies tasked with ensuring the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products. The court’s verdict not only penalizes the offenders but also serves as a reminder of the need for stringent oversight to prevent similar malpractices in the future.