Preliminary probe into Jharkhand medicine 'scam' begins

The Vigilance Bureau has begun a preliminary investigation into a Rs 1,800 crore medicine scam in Jharkhand.

An FIR would be lodged after the preliminary investigation was complete, Additional Director General of Police Niraj Sinha said on Saturday.

The investigation was ordered by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday on the utilisation of funds by the Department of Disaster Management to the health department in the 2010-11 fiscal to the offices of civil surgeons to the 24 districts in the state.

Following a complaint, the then health secretary in November last year wrote to the state Vigilance Bureau to probe the matter and the chief minister ordered an investigation.