Som Phytopharma, MD booked for improper disposal of harmful chemicals

Hyderabad: The managing director of a Telangana-based pharma company is likely to face jail for the improper disposal of harmful chemicals generated during the production of bio-fertilisers/bio-pesticides.

The sleuths of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) filed a prosecution complaint (PC) before the special court (PMLA) here against Som Phytopharma (India) Ltd and its MD Devanur Ramaswamy Iyengar Venkatesh under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

ED initiated an investigation against Som Phytopharma based on a complaint filed by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB).

As per the complaint, Som Phytopharma violated the mandatory guidelines of TSPCB laid down for the disposal of liquid effluents generated during the production of bio-fertilisers/bio-pesticides and thereby committed offences under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1988, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1987.

Pre-treatment plant was not established

ED investigation revealed that as per the TSPCB guidelines, Som Phytopharma was supposed to establish a pre-treatment plant for treating the effluents before sending them to a common effluent treatment plant.

However, the company failed to do so and was carrying on its business without the requisite pre-treatment facilities thereby endangering nature and causing water and air pollution.

This resulted in a closure order by the TSPCB against the company. Investigation revealed that by committing the said scheduled offences, the company derived Proceeds of Crime (POC) which was later used by it in its business activities.