Delhi Health Probe – AAP Questions Alleged Accused’s Departure to Germany
Delhi Health Probe – The Aam Aadmi Party held a protest outside LNJP Hospital on Monday, raising questions over an alleged Rs 650 crore irregularity in medicine procurement by the Delhi government. Party leaders also sought an explanation from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta over claims that a key accused in the case was able to leave India for Germany before being arrested.
AAP raises questions over investigation timeline
AAP’s Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party was concerned about the pace of the Anti-Corruption Branch investigation. He alleged that Rajiv Rangeela, described by the party as a main accused in the matter, was not taken into custody for nearly a month and later travelled abroad.
According to Bharadwaj, the alleged case involved large-scale procurement-related irregularities in the capital’s health system. He said the ACB should clarify why the accused was not arrested earlier and how he was permitted to leave the country.
The party’s protest focused on what it described as gaps in the handling of the case. AAP leaders said the matter required a transparent investigation because it concerns public spending on medicines and healthcare services.
Party leaders join demonstration at LNJP Hospital
AAP legislators Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar joined Bharadwaj at the protest. Jha alleged that a contractor linked to the case had been allowed to leave the country while the investigation was underway.
He referred to the ACB’s assessment of the alleged financial irregularities, which he said stood at around Rs 650 crore. The party demanded that the agency examine the role of all individuals connected with the procurement process and make its findings public.
AAP leaders also questioned the appointment of Dr Vatsala Agrawal as head of the Delhi government’s health department. Bharadwaj alleged that she was given the post despite a vigilance inquiry and that senior officials were overlooked in the process.
BJP rejects allegation over health department appointment
The BJP rejected the allegations and defended the appointment process. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said Dr Agrawal had held senior leadership roles in the health sector during the previous AAP administration.
Kapoor said she had served as head of three hospitals and a medical body before the present government took office. He maintained that her appointment was made on the basis of seniority, rejecting the charge that established procedures were bypassed.
He also said the current Delhi government acted promptly after the allegations emerged by ordering an Anti-Corruption Branch inquiry. According to Kapoor, the probe subsequently led to Agrawal’s arrest.
Anti-Corruption Branch continues investigation
The Anti-Corruption Branch is investigating the alleged medicine procurement scam. Authorities have not publicly released a final report establishing responsibility or confirming the full extent of the alleged financial loss.
The case has become a fresh point of political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP in Delhi. While the AAP has demanded answers on the alleged departure of a key accused, the BJP has said the government initiated action once the matter came to light.
Further developments in the investigation, including any action against other persons named in the case, are expected to determine the next course of the matter.