Former Director Of Health Arrested In Alleged Multi-Crore Procurement Scam
New Delhi: In a major development, the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch on Saturday arrested former Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Vatsala Aggarwal on Sunday, June 28.
The arrest was made in connection with an alleged multi-crore procurement scam involving medicines, surgical items and medical equipment, according to the reports, citing officials.
The arrest came days after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) apprehended Dr Vijay Kumar Ranga in the same case. The health director allegedly involved in large-scale financial irregularities in procurements worth several hundred crores of rupees by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
The investigation was launched after the Directorate of Vigilance flagged suspicious transactions and possible procedural violations. The investigators alleged that procurements of portable X-ray machines, bed sheets and linen, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, oral rehydration solution (ORS), surgical consumables and medicines were made at highly inflated rates through manipulated tender processes.
As part of the probe, Aggarwal was removed from the DGHS post on May 21 and placed under “awaiting posting” before being transferred to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. She was later suspended at the direction of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
The probe agency registered a case on June 2 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal conspiracy sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officials said procurement records, tender files and related documents were being scrutinised as part of the investigation.
