Senior health officials quizzed again on Molnupiravir scandal

Dalida Allagapen, the former Senior Chief Executive (SCE) at the Ministry of Health and Brijendrasingh Naeck, Principal Pharmacist of the Ministry of Health were quizzed “under warning” again this Wednesday, for the second consecutive day.

‘Under warning’ suggests that they could be arrested anytime.

They are being questioned by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into the controversial purchase of Molnupiravir tablets from CPN Distributors Ltd.

Allagapen reportedly asserted her rights to early retirement days after the scandal erupted.

In light of the same affair, Harry Krishna Bucktowar, President of the Health and Supplement Committee, was arrested over charges of “public official using his office for gratification”.

According to Defi Media, he was released after paying a bail amount of Rs30,000 and offering a surety of 100,000.

All three, together with several other officials at the Ministry of Health are suspected to be linked in the controversial purchase of almost one million tablets of Molnupiravir tablets eight times the market price.