Delhi CM orders graft probe against two senior health officials over medicine procurement

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a corruption probe against two senior Delhi Health Department officers over alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines and other medical supplies for government hospitals, officials said on Tuesday.

Treating the allegations with “utmost seriousness”, Gupta has sought an inquiry under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, into complaints against Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra linked to the procurement process, a senior Delhi government official said.

“In the latest move, the government has recommended an investigation into allegations against Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra following complaints regarding the functioning of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA),” the official said.

The recommendation stems from complaints alleging financial and administrative irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical items and medical equipment by the CPA functioning under the Directorate of Health Services.

Reiterating her government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, CM Gupta directed that the inquiry be conducted in a fair, impartial and transparent manner.

She has also said that anyone found guilty after due process of law would face strict action in accordance with legal provisions.

Earlier this month, the Delhi government suspended Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, Head of Office of the Central Procurement Agency, and Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former Director General of Health Services, after obtaining the approval of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Officials had alleged “serious irregularities” in the tendering process for procurement, claiming corruption and losses to the state exchequer.

The chief minister has stressed that transparency and public accountability remain central to her government’s functioning and that misuse of public resources will not be tolerated.

The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch last week arrested Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga in connection with the case.

An FIR has been registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with criminal conspiracy charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The probe is underway and more arrests are likely, officials added.