Delhi Court discharges former CDSCO official in CBI bribery case

A Delhi court has discharged Dr. Eswara Reddy, a former Joint Drug Controller at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and three others in a corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Special Judge Vishal Pahuja ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, stating that the CBI’s allegations did not even give rise to suspicion, let alone the grave suspicion required for a criminal trial. The court found insufficient material to establish a criminal conspiracy or the alleged offences cited in the charge sheet.

The CBI had originally alleged that the accused conspired to pay Rs 9 lakh to Reddy in exchange for favors benefiting Biocon Biologics, including the waiver of a Phase-III clinical trial for an insulin injection. The agency also alleged that Reddy manipulated Subject Expert Committee recommendations to benefit the company. The court found that the material on record did not sufficiently prove the demand or acceptance of undue advantages, nor did it show that public servants performed their duties dishonestly.