Now Reading: ACB opposes bail to ex-DGHS, co-accused in Rs 700-crore scam
-
01
ACB opposes bail to ex-DGHS, co-accused in Rs 700-crore scam
The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch on Friday opposed interim bail to former Director General of Health Services Vatsala Aggarwal and co-accused Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga in the alleged Rs 700-crore medical procurement scam.…
The Story in Brief
The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch on Friday opposed interim bail to former Director General of Health Services Vatsala Aggarwal and co-accused Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga in the alleged Rs 700-crore medical procurement scam. The ACB told a special court that the two colluded to concentrate decision-making powers and bypass middle-level officers, favouring a bidder who lacked required experience and turnover. The prosecution said Ranga kept crucial procurement files in his personal custody, and these are still missing.
Aggarwal, 61, sought bail on medical grounds, citing hypertension, diabetes and breathing difficulties. The ACB countered that she had been examined six times, her vital signs were stable, and there was no medical urgency. The court reserved its order for Monday. The scam involved inflated procurement of medicines and hospital supplies, including ORS packets priced at Rs 15 against an actual cost of Rs 2.50, and bedsheets bought for Rs 450 instead of Rs 150.
The Indian Opinion
The ACB’s insistence that a senior officer’s health does not trump investigation seriousness is reasonable, but the prosecution must also ensure medical care is not compromised. The missing files and the claim that decision-making was concentrated in two hands point to a deeper systemic failure, not just individual greed. Instead of accusing the ACB of overreach, the public should watch whether the court on Monday weighs health rights against probe integrity, and whether the missing procurement files ever resurface.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
