Tuesday 8 April 2025
Caught on Camera: Drug Inspector Nidhi Pandey Suspended For Taking Bribe
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In a startling development, Nidhi Pandey, a drug inspector stationed in UP’s Shamli got suspended after her video surfaced showing her seeking bribe. The footage captured Nidhi demanding money from chemists in return for issuing approval certificates.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the public, raising concerns about the corruption channeling in government departments.
A video clip is trending online, featuring the drug inspector soliciting bribe from a local chemist. Nidhi Pandey is seen asking for a bribe worth thousands of rupees, telling the chemist, “Don’t bargain with me. Don’t do ‘Baniyagiri’ with me.
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The actions from authorities came swiftly after the incident, resulting in the suspension of Nidhi. The news led to the celebration among the chemists of Shamli. Several chemists in the district took to the streets, celebrating her suspension with rallies and drums, expressing their relief and joy over the action taken against her. The media reported that this was Pandey’s first posting as a drug inspector. Just days before the viral bribery incident, she had reportedly raided a medical shop and demanded a bribe from the shop owner.
The report by UP Tak quoted that Nidhi Pandey has a M Pharma degree from 2010 to 2012, before working with several companies. In 2022, she was selected as a drug inspector. However, Pandey has been embroiled in controversies over the past few years, with multiple chemists accusing her of demanding bribes. All these complaints against her did not go in vain.
Acting on the complaints, Prasanna Choudhary, the Shamli MLA, and Ashraf Ali, the Thanabhawan MLA, wrote to the Uttar Pradesh government, urging her transfer. The MLAs also accused Pandey of threatening medical shop owners, warning them that their licenses would be revoked if they refused to pay bribes.
In addition to these charges, Pandey’s actions contributed to the increased circulation of expired medicines in the district, further damaging public trust. These incidents led to growing dissatisfaction and unrest among local chemists, eventually resulting in her suspension.
The incident has highlighted the rising concerns of corruption within the pharma industry, where bribes are becoming common during inspections. Issuing approval certificates also creates trust issues towards medical shops, questioning the authenticity of medicines.
This sector is considered as one of the most vulnerable sectors to corruption. It directly impacts the public health. Cases like this underline the importance of transparency in regulatory processes to ensure public safety.
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