The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) has arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vavinder Mahajan under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Mahajan is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 45 lakh from Akhil Jai Singh, a businessman from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in exchange for giving him a clean chit in a case involving the seizure of a large quantity of pharmaceutical drugs from a firm in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh.
According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Akhil’s company, Aster Pharma, located in Palghar, Maharashtra, became a focus of the investigation. The preliminary probe revealed that Mahajan had accepted the bribe to shield Akhil from legal consequences and had been engaging in corrupt practices by supporting drug suppliers.
Mahajan and Akhil were booked following statements from two drug inspectors. One of the inspectors, Shishan Mittal, who was arrested six days earlier for colluding with drug smugglers, facilitated the deal between Mahajan and Akhil. The FIR also mentions that another Amritsar-based Drug Inspector provided testimony and had participated in the raids conducted in Baddi and Maharashtra.
The money was allegedly paid in two installments. Drug Inspector Mittal reportedly delivered Rs 25 lakh to Mahajan at his residence. The police confirmed these details through financial and technical investigations, which corroborated the statements of the arrested officers.
The arrest of Mahajan highlights the ongoing efforts of the Anti-Narcotic Task Force to tackle corruption within law enforcement and hold officials accountable for their involvement in illegal activities.
