New Delhi: The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra in connection with alleged large-scale irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical consumables and medical equipment.
According to the ACB, the case stems from a complaint received from the Directorate of Vigilance regarding alleged irregularities in purchases made through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the DGHS. Investigators allege that procurement processes, tender conditions and technical specifications were manipulated to favour select suppliers and firms.
The allegations pertain to the procurement of portable X-ray machines, medicines, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, ORS, bed sheets and other medical items at allegedly inflated prices. The agency claimed that competitors were excluded from the bidding process through tailored tender specifications.
The ACB said that procurement proposals involving substantial government funds were processed through the Accounts Branch of the CPA, while financial scrutiny, bill processing and release of payments were undertaken through the office of the Deputy Controller of Accounts. Investigators are now examining the complete procurement chain to identify the extent of alleged financial irregularities.
Officials said a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered on June 2. Earlier, former CPA Head of Office Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga had also been arrested in the case and remains in judicial custody. With the latest arrests, the number of arrests in the case has risen to three.
The alleged irregularities are being probed as part of what investigators describe as a multi-crore procurement scam that may have caused significant losses to the Delhi government’s health budget. Further investigation is underway to determine whether more officials or private entities were involved.
