Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
New Delhi, September 30, 2026: The Delhi government has reportedly granted permission to prosecute three officials in connection with the alleged multi-crore medical procurement irregularities involving purchases of medicines, surgical supplies and medical equipment for government healthcare facilities.
The development is significant because prosecution sanction is required under the Prevention of Corruption Act before the court can proceed against serving or former public officials in relevant corruption cases. The Anti-Corruption Branch had earlier approached the competent authority seeking permission after completing a substantial part of its investigation.
The case involves former Director General of Health Services Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former Central Procurement Agency official Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, and Neeraj Chopra, who served as Deputy Controller of Accounts at the Central Procurement Agency. The Delhi ACB has already filed an approximately 12,000-page chargesheet before the Rouse Avenue Court naming the three officials.
Investigators allege that procurement procedures for medicines, surgical items, consumables and medical equipment were manipulated, including through tender specifications and financial processing that allegedly benefited selected suppliers. These remain allegations before the court, and the accused have not been convicted.
The investigation began after Delhi's Directorate of Vigilance flagged suspicious transactions and possible violations in procurement handled through the Directorate General of Health Services and its Central Procurement Agency. The ACB subsequently registered a case and made several arrests as the investigation expanded.
Investigators have also alleged that some important procurement files connected with purchases of equipment and hospital supplies were intentionally destroyed or made unavailable. The ACB told a Delhi court that records relating to bids for items including X-ray machines, C-Arm equipment and hospital linen were among the documents under scrutiny.
Different stages of the investigation have produced estimates ranging from roughly ₹640 crore to ₹700 crore for the procurement under examination. Officials have previously clarified that the final financial loss to the government has not yet been conclusively established because investigators are still examining whether supplies were delivered, whether prices were inflated and whether wrongful financial gains were made.
The case has also generated political controversy in Delhi. Opposition AAP leaders have raised questions over the procurement system and demanded accountability, while BJP representatives and the Delhi government have said the investigation was initiated after irregularities came to light and that action would be taken on the basis of evidence.
The reported approval for prosecution would remove an important procedural hurdle in the corruption case and allow the prosecution sanction to be placed before the Rouse Avenue Court. The court will ultimately determine the charges and liability after examining the evidence and hearing the accused, who retain the presumption of innocence unless found guilty through due legal process.
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