ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹2.58 Crore Linked to HP Assistant Drug Controller Nishant Sareen in Money Laundering Probe
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shimla Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached two immovable properties worth ₹2.58 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The action, taken on 02 December 2025, is part of an ongoing probe into bribery, corruption, forgery and disproportionate assets involving Nishant Sareen, Assistant Drug Controller, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and his associate Komal Khanna.
The attached properties include:
- A residential flat in Sector 20, Panchkula (Haryana)
- A residential building in Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
Drug Controller : Multiple FIRs Triggered ED Investigation
The ED’s investigation began after the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB), Himachal Pradesh Police, registered an FIR under Section 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Sareen, then posted as Assistant Drug Controller in Baddi. He was arrested, and a chargesheet was filed in 2021 against him and Komal Khanna.
In 2022, Haryana Police registered another FIR against Sareen and Khanna in a case related to extortion, threat, and forgery of the partnership deed of Zhenia Pharmaceuticals, Panchkula, where Khanna’s stake allegedly rose from 50% to 95%, indicating misuse of Sareen’s official position.
Later, on 23 September 2025, SV&ACB filed a fresh FIR under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. They alleged that Sareen had amassed disproportionate assets worth ₹1.66 crore during his tenure as Drug Inspector/Assistant Drug Controller across Nahan, Baddi and Solan.
ED: Illegal Gratification, Coercion & Investment of Proceeds of Crime
According to the ED, Sareen abused his position to collect illegal payments from pharmaceutical companies. Many firms allegedly incurred losses by supplying products. These products were provided to Zhenia Pharmaceuticals and Nia Pharma, both operated by Komal Khanna.
The accused allegedly diverted the proceeds of crime into personal assets. They placed the proceeds in bank deposits. They also invested them in properties held in the names of Khanna and Sareen’s family members.
Earlier Searches Seized Assets Worth ₹3.20 Crore
During search operations conducted in June 2025, the ED seized incriminating documents, jewellery, vehicles and froze bank balances worth ₹3.20 crore.
With the latest attachment, the total value of seizure/attachment in the case has risen to ₹5.78 crore.
Sareen, accused of money laundering, was arrested on 09 October 2025 and remains in judicial custody.
Further Investigation Underway
The Enforcement Directorate confirmed that further investigation is in progress.
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