Delhi Health Procurement Scam: Doctor Arrested, Over 100 Officials Under Scanner
Delhi’s alleged multi-crore health procurement scam has widened after the ACB arrested a former CPA official and began examining the role of several doctors and officials.
Delhi Health Procurement Scam: Doctor Arrested, Over 100 Officials Under Scanner
New Delhi, June 20: The Anti-Corruption Branch has made its first major arrest in the alleged multi-crore health procurement scam linked to Delhi’s government health department, with investigators now examining missing files, tender procedures, and the role of several officials connected to the procurement process.
Former Central Procurement Agency Head of Office Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, who was earlier associated with the Directorate General of Health Services, was arrested on June 18 in connection with alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines, surgical items, consumables, and medical equipment.
Probe Focuses On Health Procurement Irregularities
According to investigators, the case relates to procurement carried out by the Central Procurement Agency, which handles the purchase of medicines, hospital supplies, and medical equipment for government healthcare institutions in Delhi.
The ACB is examining whether procurement rules were allegedly manipulated to benefit select suppliers. Investigators are also looking into whether some purchases were made at prices higher than market rates, causing possible losses to the government exchequer.
Medical Equipment And Supplies Under Review
Several procurement orders have come under scrutiny, including portable X-ray machines, C-arm radiological machines, anaesthesia workstations, bed linen, ORS, medicines, surgical consumables, and other hospital-related items.
Officials are checking how technical specifications were prepared, how prices were fixed, and whether tender conditions limited competition in favour of specific companies.
Missing Files Add New Angle To Investigation
A key part of the investigation involves procurement-related files that were allegedly missing from official records.
Investigators said important files linked to the purchase of medical equipment, medicines and hospital supplies were not available in departmental records. These documents were allegedly found to be under the control of Dr Ranga.
During questioning, he was reportedly unable to give a satisfactory explanation about the missing files. He was produced before a court on June 19 and was sent to four days of police custody for further interrogation.
More Than 100 Doctors And Officials May Be Examined
The investigation is expected to go beyond one official, as the procurement process involved several committees responsible for specifications, bid formation, technical evaluation, and price approval.
These committees included senior doctors, department heads, specialists, professors, and other officials from government hospitals and medical colleges. Investigators are now reviewing the role of those involved in drafting specifications, evaluating bids, and approving purchases.
Sources have indicated that more than 100 doctors and officials may come under scrutiny as the investigation progresses. However, no formal action has been reported against any other individual so far.
CM Recommends Transfer Of 39 Doctors
Amid the ongoing probe, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has recommended the transfer of 39 doctors to the Lieutenant Governor.
According to official information, the recommendation covers doctors who have served in Tihar and Mandoli jails for five years or more. Some doctors have reportedly remained posted at the same location since 2014.
The proposal also includes the deployment of around 35 doctors as replacements.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the ACB is expected to examine procurement records, tender documents, and committee-level decisions in the coming days
