Court Orders IGP Crime Branch to Oversee Spurious Drug Scam Probe
Court Seeks Names of CPC Members, List of Alleged Fake Medicines
Srinagar, May 1, KNT: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday directed the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch, to monitor the ongoing investigation into the alleged spurious drug scam under the supervision of the Chief Secretary.
The Division Bench of Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magray issued the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation seeking an independent probe into the supply of allegedly fake medicines to government hospitals.
During the proceedings, the Bench questioned the government over the absence of action against members of the Central Purchasing Committee, the body responsible for procurement of medicines. The court asked the senior Additional Advocate General representing the government to furnish the names of CPC members after it was informed that certain arrests had already been made in connection with the case.
Counsel representing the doctors’ body submitted that dozens of drug varieties supplied to hospitals were suspected to be spurious and posed a serious public health risk. The court directed that a detailed list of the alleged medicines be placed on record.
The PIL, filed by the Doctors Association through counsel, names several officials and seeks a thorough investigation into the procurement and distribution process.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 9. [KNT]
