- By Surarika Das
- Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:20 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- The suspects did not follow the standard protocols for the process, which raised doubts.
- Earlier, the investigators detained former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Agarwal in the case
- The investigating team alleges that the specifications were made to favour selected suppliers.
Jagran Correspondent | Delhi: As the investigation into the Rs 650 crore Delhi medical scam intensifies, Lok Nayak Hospital pharmacist Binesh Kumar has been suspended with immediate effect. Kumar has been directed not to leave the headquarters during the suspension period. The disciplinary action comes a week after the ACB detained six suspects linked to the multi-crore racket involving government-run hospitals.
What Did The Investigation Reveal?
The investigation agencies are now probing the connection between companies involved in the scam and the higher officials in the hospital. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the medicine procurement process was initiated before knowing the demands of the hospital authorities. Later, the purchases were authorised by the respective hospitals and health institutions. The suspects did not follow the standard protocols for the process, which raised doubts.
The ACB claimed that technical conditions were drafted in a manner that automatically limited competition, and contracts worth crores of rupees were awarded to select companies. An investigation is underway to determine who directed this action.
Health Officials Detained
Earlier, the investigators detained former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Agarwal in the case. Agarwal was initially suspended, and later an FIR was filed against her and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Aggarwal was removed from the DGHS post on May 21 and placed under “awaiting posting” before being transferred to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. She was subsequently suspended at the direction of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to facilitate disciplinary proceedings.
The ACB also arrested Dr Vijay Kumar in the same case last month. DGHS In-Charge Dr Sushma Jain was called for interrogation; however, she did not respond to the investigation team's calls or messages.
How was The Scam Conducted?
Investigators alleged that the procurement of portable X-ray machines, bed sheets and linen; C-arm radiological equipment; anaesthesia workstations; oral rehydration solution (ORS); surgical consumables; and medicines were made at highly inflated rates through manipulated tender processes.
The investigating team alleges that the specifications were made to favour selected suppliers, excluding genuine bidders from the process. The Delhi government has also suspended five pharmacists and two CPA officials after an internal inquiry reportedly found serious irregularities in the procurement, storage, and management of medicines at various agency stores. The investigating team claimed further investigation is underway to identify the role of other officials and private suppliers in the alleged scam.
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