GURGAON: The Punjab and Haryana high court has sought a detailed response from Haryana Police on the investigation into the alleged bribery case involving a senior official of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Madhuban, directing that the state’s reply be filed by way of an affidavit of the concerned superintendent of police.The direction assumes significance as the FIR in the case was registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Karnal, nearly three years ago over an alleged Rs 20 lakh bribe demand and payment of Rs 11 lakh in connection with procurement of RT-PCR/DNA kits for the laboratory.Justice Sumeet Goel, while hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Dr Rajiv Kawatra, assistant director (DNA) at FSL Madhuban, on September 15, issued notice of motion for October 8.The petitioner has sought transfer of the investigation to the CBI or a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT), alleging deficiencies and delay in the probe.The court order directs the state respondents to file their reply through an affidavit of the concerned SP.It also specifically directs the SHO concerned, through the state counsel, to inform Dr Anita Kadian about the pendency of the petition and the next date of hearing and file a compliance report confirming that the direction has been carried out.Dr Anita Kadian, the then deputy director of the Judicial Scientific Laboratory, Madhuban, against whom the ACB had registered the corruption case along with three private-sector employees.The FIR, registered by ACB Karnal on September 6, 2023, names Kadian, Neeraj Goud, director of Mygene Life Solutions, New Delhi, Buj Singh, operations sales manager of Mygene, and Chandraman Chaudhary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Gurgaon.The accused were booked under Sections 7, 8 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the IPC.According to the FIR, the case followed inquiries into allegations that money was demanded in connection with procurement of RT-PCR kits by the FSL.Investigators examined audio-video recordings of conversations involving company representatives and others connected with the procurement process.The FIR records an alleged Rs 20 lakh demand, followed by an alleged payment of Rs 11 lakh.The recordings cited in the FIR contain references to money being handed over to “Madam” and identify Kadian. The allegations have not been proved in court.The ACB case followed inquiries by committees headed by senior police officers, which examined statements of the complainant, laboratory officials and company representatives besides the recordings and other material.Kawatra’s petition has also questioned the pace of the investigation.It claims that despite the ACB earlier opposing Kadian’s anticipatory bail and seeking custodial interrogation, the investigation has not culminated in a final report.These are allegations made in the petition and will be addressed by the state in its response.The controversy concerns procurement of forensic kits used in processing evidence in criminal investigations, including sexual-offence cases.The petitioner has alleged that delays and irregularities in procurement affected the functioning of the forensic laboratory and, consequently, criminal investigations and trials.The latest order, however, does not record any finding of guilt, establish that the investigation was deliberately delayed, or direct transfer of the probe to the CBI/SIT.It seeks the state’s response to the petition and requires the police to place compliance on record.The matter will next come up on Oct 8, 2026, when the state’s response is expected to be placed before the court.
