New Delhi, June 25: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested documents from the Delhi government’s health department concerning an alleged drug procurement scam exceeding ₹600 crores. Sources indicate that the ED has initiated an investigation into purported irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment. The agency has also sought records related to tenders, payments, and transactions involving manufacturers and suppliers.
The ED’s Delhi Zone-2 team has sent a letter to the director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), asking for documents related to purchases made by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) and DGHS.
The investigation encompasses purchases including X-ray machines, C-arm radiological equipment, anesthesia workstations, oral rehydration salts (ORS), bed sheets, linen goods, surgical supplies, dressings, sutures, cannulas, gloves, and medications.
Sources have revealed that the investigative agency is examining the tender process, technical and financial evaluations, contract awarding procedures, supply of goods, inspections, approvals, and payment releases. Additionally, the ED has requested transaction details from companies, manufacturers, OEMs, and distributors involved in the procurement of medical equipment.
The records requested include information on companies manufacturing portable X-ray machines, C-arm machines, and anesthesia workstations. The ED aims to determine if there were any irregularities, financial discrepancies, or money laundering activities related to the procurement process of medical supplies.
According to sources, the investigation is ongoing, and further actions will be taken based on the documents requested from the department.
Earlier, the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arrested former CPA chief Vinod Kumar Ranga for allegedly being involved in the illegal procurement of drugs, surgical supplies, consumables, and medical equipment.
The drug procurement scam gained attention earlier this month due to alleged irregularities in the purchase of drugs and medical equipment by the CPA. Following this incident, several doctors and medical staff have come under scrutiny from investigative agencies. A case was registered following directives from the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi.
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