Several government offices, including the Delhi Secretariat, saw visits by teams of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Thursday. The anti-graft unit conducted searches with regard to an alleged scam in the procurement of medicines and ambulances.
Sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Minister Kapil Mishra had recently alleged corruption in the Health Department, following which he had lodged a formal complaint with the ACB.
‘Gathering paperwork’
According to a source in the anti-graft body, search operations were carried out at offices under the Delhi Health Department to gather documents and files pertaining to the said procurement.
“These are initial searches. The aim was to gather paperwork [related to the procurement of medicines and ambulances], which can be examined before further action, if required,” said the source, adding that the ACB had to examine all documents available before launching a probe into the alleged scam.
At present, the ACB is investigating an alleged scam in the Delhi Jal Board and the PWD.
Three scams alleged
Last week, Mr. Mishra had accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain of misappropriating health funds. He had also claimed that three health scams — including one involving ₹300 crore with regard to procurement of medicines — had taken place in the AAP government.
The Kejriwal government, the former AAP Minister claimed, had improperly procured medicines, overpaid for ambulances and violated rules of transfers and appointments.
Reacting to the fresh charges against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari had written to Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal, urging him to get files and paperwork related to the alleged scams seized.
