Jaipur: The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 2003-batch IAS Neeraj K. Pawan and four other accused in a long-pending case involving alleged bribery and financial irregularities in the National Health Mission (NHM).
The chargesheet, submitted before the ACB Court in Jaipur, comprises nearly 5,000 pages and relates to FIR No. 115/2016. The case involves alleged irregularities in payments connected with the Arogya Rath programme, including claims of inflated or allegedly fabricated bills being used to secure government payments.
The four other accused named in the chargesheet are Joji Varghese, Deepa Gupta, Ajit Soni and Sunil Rathore. The probe concerning another accused, Surendra Singh, is still underway under Section 173(8) of the CrPC.
Background of the NHM Case:
The investigation originated in May 2016, when Neeraj K. Pawan was serving as Additional Mission Director of NHM/NRHM. The ACB action followed allegations concerning bribery, tender procedures and the award of government contracts during his tenure.
Investigators had alleged that certain contracts and work orders were facilitated through an arrangement involving officials and intermediaries, with commissions allegedly exchanged in return. The case also included allegations concerning contractual appointments and recruitment at the district level.
Pawan was arrested during the 2016 investigation and remained in custody for several months. After his bail application was rejected in July 2016, he was eventually granted bail in January 2017.
Following his release, Pawan remained on Awaiting Posting Order (APO) for a considerable period before being appointed Special Secretary, Administrative Reforms, in April 2018.
Another ACB Case in 2021:
The IAS officer again came under the ACB scanner in 2021, when the agency sealed his office during an investigation into alleged corruption while he was serving as Chairman of the Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation.
Pawan was not arrested in that matter, although two officials working under him were arrested over an alleged ₹5 lakh bribery case.
Pawan is currently serving as Director General, Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sansthan.
The latest chargesheet represents a significant development in the nearly decade-old NHM case. The allegations are part of ongoing judicial proceedings and will be subject to determination by the court.
