In a recent move against corruption, the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) detained two former Health department officials linked to suspected irregularities in the purchase of medicines, surgical consumables, and medical equipment. The arrested individuals are Vatsala Aggarwal, the former Director General Health Services (DGHS), and Neeraj Chopra, the Deputy Controller of Accounts (DCA) of DGHS’ Central Procurement Agency (CPA, as per an official statement. The accusations involve the acquisition of various medical items at inflated prices through manipulated procurement processes, including portable X-ray machines, bed sheets, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia work stations, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), surgical consumables, and medicines.
Allegations suggest that specific specifications were tailored to benefit chosen suppliers, while legitimate competitors were excluded from the bidding process, resulting in the misappropriation of government funds amounting to hundreds of crores. A complaint from the Delhi government highlighted significant irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical consumables, and medical equipment by the DGHS CPA. It was claimed that certain public officials colluded with private individuals to manipulate procurement procedures, tender conditions, and technical specifications to favor selected companies, leading to financial losses for the government and unjust gains for private entities.
Following the complaint, an FIR was filed on June 2 under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at the ACB Police Station. Based on gathered evidence, both suspects were interrogated and subsequently apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Branch. The accused were presented before the Rouse Avenue Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) to seek one-day police custody for further investigation, aiming to recover incriminating evidence, locate missing procurement records, identify additional beneficiaries and collaborators, trace financial transactions, and uncover the broader conspiracy.
