PATNA, June 20 -- The state drug controller has charged one of its inspectors in Lakhisarai district for allegedly shielding offenders under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after police detained three people on charges of illegal possession, transportation and trade of narcotic and psychotropic substances, officials said on Friday. Officials said Bihar drug controller Nityanand Kishloya on Thursday recommended suspending and initiating departmental proceedings against drug inspector Deepak Kumar Ram while seeking further legal action based on departmental inquiry's findings. He demanded the action in his report to health secretary Kumar Ravi. The case stems from the seizure of a pick-up van by Ramgarh Chowk police on May 27 during a vehicle-checking drive on Sheikhpura-Ramgarh Chowk road. Police detained three persons and drug control department personnel, led by Deepak, inspected the consignment. According to the inquiry report, Deepak identified five categories of medicines falling under the NDPS Act in the consignment. Officials said that the three accused failed to produce valid records or documents relating to transportation and sale of these medicines. Despite this, the inquiry alleged Deepak released the vehicle and the detainees without initiating proceedings under the NDPS Act, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act or the BNS. The report claimed that he took custody of the seized medicines and mandatory legal procedures for seizure and prosecution were not followed. The report accused Deepak of helping the trio evade prosecution. Police charged Deepak under BNS sections 249 (concealing an offender to protect him from legal punishment) and 251 (shielding a criminal from legal punishment in exchange for a bribe, gift or returned property)....