The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected the regular bail application of Shashank Chopda, who is accused of masterminding a ₹411 crore scam involving the procurement of medical equipment and reagents under the state’s “Hamar-Lab” scheme. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha passed the order while hearing MCRC No. 3159 of 2025.
Background
The case concerns alleged irregularities in procurement under the “Hamar-Lab” scheme, which was intended to provide improved medical diagnostic facilities at district and community health center levels across Chhattisgarh. According to the FIR lodged at the Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB), Raipur, the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (CGMSCL), acting without proper budgetary or administrative sanction, placed disproportionately high orders for equipment and reagents through companies including Mokshit Corporation, where the applicant is said to have played a central role.
Allegations and Prosecution Case
The State alleges that Mokshit Corporation supplied EDTA blood collection tubes at an inflated price of ₹2,352 per piece, whereas other institutions procured the same at around ₹8.50 per piece. It is also alleged that Mokshit Corporation supplied CBC machines for ₹17 lakhs each, while their market price was around ₹5 lakhs.
The FIR further asserts that CGMSCL and Directorate of Health Services officials conspired with private companies, including Mokshit Corporation, CB Corporation, Records and Medicare System, and Shri Sharda Industries, to cause wrongful gain to these companies and wrongful loss to the government, amounting to approximately ₹411 crores.
Deputy Advocate General Dr. Sourabh Kumar Pande, representing the State, contended that the accused influenced tender conditions, submitted bogus bills, and supplied products near their expiry date. He argued that the applicant acted in connivance with CGMSCL officials and poses a risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses if released on bail.
Defence Arguments
Senior Advocates Mr. Siddharth Mridul and Mr. Ajay Mishra, appearing for the applicant, argued that the accused was merely a successful bidder and had no control over CGMSCL officials. They asserted that the company actually incurred losses of ₹351 crores due to non-payment of dues, and that supplies were made strictly on CGMSCL’s orders.
They also pointed to an alleged typographical error in a CGMSCL letter, claiming the cost of EDTA tubes was ₹23.52, not ₹2,352, and contended that there was no pricing regulation under DPCP. The defence emphasized that the applicant is a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh, has cooperated with the investigation, and is in custody since January 28, 2025.
Court’s Observations
Denying bail, Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha emphasized the seriousness of economic offences, stating:
“The present is a case which involves economic offence and which is considered to be more serious than conventional crimes as they affect the entire economy and pose a serious threat to the financial health of the country…”
The Court noted that the investigation revealed that the applicant “masterminded an elaborate and well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy by creating multiple fictitious companies” and that he may have set up a monopoly in supplying reagents for closed-system machines, effectively depriving people of diagnostic services in public health facilities.
The Court rejected the plea for parity with co-accused Rajesh Gupta, noting that:
“The case of the applicant stands on a different footing as he appears to be the direct beneficiary in the crime in question and cannot be equated with that of Rajesh Gupta.”
Decision
The Court held that releasing the applicant on bail would undermine public confidence in the justice system and embolden corrupt practices. Consequently, the application was dismissed.
Case Title: Shashank Chopda vs State of Chhattisgarh
Case No.: MCRC No. 3159 of 2025
