Bhopal: Two people wanted by the Madhya Pradesh State Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection with the alleged mega medical equipment purchase scam related to the Covid-19 period were arrested. CISF at Delhi Airport After the lookout notice.

The EOW had registered a case against 13 people including the former minister. Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Anuppur Dist.

The FIR includes the names of former ADM BD Singh, former CMHO Dr. BD Sonwani, Civil Surgeon SR Paraste, storekeeper and director of the supply firm. These officials are also accused of misusing the District Mineral Foundation Fund (DMF).

Officials said the scam pertains to medicines and equipment purchased by the CMHO Anuppur office for the year 2019-20. The officials and employees of the office in connivance with some pharmaceutical companies allegedly manipulated the financial bids of the tender process to benefit select companies, resulting in embezzlement of crores of rupees.

A case has been registered against the then Chief Medical and Health Officer and Chairman of the Purchase Committee Dr. BD Sonwani, the then Additional Collector Anuppur, members of the Purchase Committee and various drug suppliers Sunaina Tiwari, Jitendra Tiwari, Anuja Tiwari, Mahebabu Sharma and others.

An FIR (No. 11/24) was registered on March 27, 2024 under sections 420, 409 and 120B of the IPC and sections 13(1)A and 13(2) of the CrPC, 1988. During the investigation, original documents and computer hard disks were seized from the offices and residences of the accused.

Officials said that these people supplied material and equipment to CMHO Anuppur office at rates higher than the L-1 rate, causing huge financial loss to the government. Notices were issued to the accused seeking invoices, bills and other relevant documents related to the purchase. However, the accused failed to provide the required documents and did not cooperate in the investigation.

Due to the strong possibility of the accused fleeing abroad, a lookout notice was issued on May 30, 2024.

While returning from a foreign trip, Jitendra Tiwari and Shailendra Tiwari were detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi. After this, the Economic Offenses Wing arrested them on 7 June 2024 and brought them to Rewa on 8 June 2024. Both were produced in the Special Court Anuppur and sent to jail.