Patna High Court records complaint about huge bungling in purchase of drugs/medicines/surgical equipments/blankets in Aurangabad

On February 21, 2025, in Abhay Prasad vs. The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice and Justice Partha Sarthy heard Abhay Prasad, the petitioner from Aurangabad who had prayed for issuance of direction to the authorities to constitute a Special Investigation Team comprising personnel from the State Vigilance Department in response to a complaint filed by the petitioner with respect to huge bungling in the purchase of drugs/medicines/surgical equipments/blankets etc. during the financial year 2023-24. The judgement recorded that "Cabinet Vigilance Department also, taking note of the accusation, has referred the matter to the Additional Chief Secretary, Health." The case was filed on January 28, 2025. 

The other eight respondents are: Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health, Additional Chief Secretary, Vigilance Department, Director-in-Chief, Health Services, Patna, District Magistrate, Aurangabad, Civil-Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer, Aurangabad, Civil-Surgeon-cum-Member Secretary, District Health Society, Aurangabad, Additional Collector (Public Grievances) -cum- District Public Grievance Redressal Officer, Aurangabad and Krishna Prasad Verma, Purchase Clerk, Civil Surgeon Office, Aurangabad

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The judgement records:"It appears that pursuant to his complaint before various authorities, the Health Minister directed the District Magistrate of the concerned district to look into the matter. The District Magistrate in turn entrusted the inquiry to an Additional Collector, who has yet not submitted his report. The Cabinet Vigilance Department also, taking note of the accusation, has referred the matter to the Additional Chief Secretary, Health. All this indicates that the complaint of the petitioner has been taken cognizance of and necessary steps are being taken."

The judgement concluded: "There does not appear to be any need for any direction in this writ petition.The petition stands disposed off with the liberty to the petitioner to approach the District Magistrate, if so desired, for necessary directions to the Additional Collector to complete the inquiry and submit his report."