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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), during its probe into the allegations of bribery against Joint Drugs Controller S Eswara Reddy, has found that the Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Limited used Guljit Sethi aka Guljit Chaudhary as a middlewoman to deliver bribe.
Sethi is the director of Delhi-based Bioinnovat Research Private Limited.
Besides Reddy, the CBI arrested L Praveen Kumar, Associate Vice President and Head National Regulatory Affairs (NRA) of Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Limited, Bangalore, Sethi, Dinesh Dua, director of Delhi-based Synergy Network India Private Limited and Animesh Kumar, Assistant Drug Inspector at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Delhi.
The CBI, in the Special Court of Nirja Bhatia, sought the voice samples of all the five accused. The agency argued that Reddy gave the address of his new Chanakyapuri residence during a meeting at the CDSCO office on June 15.
“That information further revealed that during the meeting on 15.06.22 at COSCO office, Dr S Eswara Reddy has provided his new residential address at Chanakyap Shri Dinesh Dua to meet him personally at his residence at end of the week (sic),” the agency said.
The CBI also argued that information revealed that Praveen Kumar has agreed to pay a total of Rs 9 lakh bribe amount as a motive or reward to Reddy to favourably process the files of the company.
“That information also revealed that Shri L Praveen Kumar, Associate Vice and Head National Regulatory Affairs (NRA), M/s Biocon Biologies Limited, Bangalore has agreed to pay a total of Rs. 9,00,000/ bribe amount as a motive/ reward to Dr S Eswara Reddy, JDC to favourably process the files of the company. Ms. Guljit Sethi directed Dinesh Dua to deliver the part of the agreed bribe amount on behalf of the company to Dr. S. Eswara Reddy at his residence (sic),” the agency said.
“That information further revealed that Shri Dinesh Dua would meet Dr. S Eswara Reddy at his residence on 20.06.2022 to deliver the bribe amount after collecting it from Ms. Guljit Sethi (sic),” the agency further added.
The CBI said that based on the information it laid the trap and arrested Reddy red-handed while accepting the bribe of Rs 4 lakh from Dua.
Aman Lekhi, the husband of MoS External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, is defending Praveen Kumar along with a battery of lawyers in the court.
Meanwhile, sources, in murmured voices, said, “Questions are being raised in CBI office if he is putting his government in embarrassment.”
On June 20, CBI arrested Reddy while allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs four lakhs for favourably processing the files of Biocon Biologics.
CBI spokesperson RC Joshi in a statement said, “The CBI has apprehended Reddy, who is posted at CDSCO Headquarters in New Delhi, and Dua in an alleged bribery of Rs four lakh.”
Joshi said that the agency also carried out searches at 11 locations located in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Patna, and Bengaluru which led to the recovery of incriminating documents and articles.
Besides Reddy and Dua, the CBI has named Sethi, Praveen Kumar, Animesh Kumar, other unknown officials of CDSCO and unknown others.
The CBI said that it was alleged that the accused was trying to exert undue influence on officers of CDSCO under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Delhi to waive the Phase III trial of “Insulin Aspart Injection”.
All the accused are presently under judicial custody.
The Special Court on Friday had reserved the orders on the bail application and voice samples application for Monday.
