ACB Registers FIR Against Former Delhi Health Ministers in ₹5,590 Cr Hospital Scam

In a recent case, Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against former Delhi Health Ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain over alleged corruption in healthcare projects during the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) tenure.

What Led to the FIR

According to a senior ACB official, the FIR was filed in response to a complaint made by then-opposition party leader Vijender Gupta in 2024. The complaint alleged massive irregularities and suspected corruption in 24 hospital projects worth ₹5,590 crore sanctioned between 2018–2019.

These include unexplained cost escalations, suspected misuse of public funds, and alleged misappropriation. Most of the projects remain pending well past their planned completion dates.

The ministers, along with private contractors and others involved, were booked under Section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and IPC sections including criminal breach of trust (Section 409), cheating and dishonesty (Section 420), and criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B).

What the Investigation Found

Officials said the investigation has revealed:

• Additional constructions were made at Jwalapuri and Madipur government hospitals without the approval of the competent authorities. The Madipur project remains stalled, despite a completion deadline of November 2022.

• The ₹1,125 crore ICU hospital project with 6,800 beds, meant to be completed within six months, is still only half-finished after three years and ₹800 crore in expenditure.

• Seven ICU hospitals remain unfinished beyond their February 2022 deadline and have seen cost escalations of more than 100%.

• The new block at LNJP Hospital has seen its cost rise from ₹488 crore to ₹1,135 crore over four years, but the structure remains under construction past its January 2023 deadline.

• Investigators flagged serious violations of rules and financial protocols, pointing to deliberate delays, inflated costs, and the creation of idle assets, collectively leading to significant loss of public funds.

• The cost for polyclinic projects rose from ₹168 crore to ₹220 crore, but only 52 out of 94 planned clinics have been built, with many still non-functional.

• A free, cost-effective digital solution from NIC (e-Hospital) was rejected without explanation.

• A key system meant to ensure financial transparency—the Health Information Management System (HIMS)—has not been implemented, despite being publicly announced in 2016–2017.

What’s Next

The ACB has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the roles of those involved. According to sources, both ministers may be summoned for questioning next week.

The case is now being closely watched as a key development in Delhi’s healthcare governance and political accountability, with further legal action and political response likely to unfold in the coming weeks.

(Rh/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)