Delhi ACB arrests ex-DGHS Dr Vatsala Aggarwal in multi-crore medical scam
Synopsis
Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested former DGHS Dr Vatsala Aggarwal — already under suspension — alongside Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra, in a procurement scam reportedly worth hundreds of crores. With the Vigilance Department having flagged the case and a prior arrest already made, the net appears to be widening across Delhi's public health supply chain.
Key Takeaways
Delhi ACB arrested former DGHS Dr Vatsala Aggarwal on 28 June in an alleged multi-crore medical procurement scam.
Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra was also arrested in the same case.
The scam involves alleged irregularities in procurement of medicines, surgical items, and equipment through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) , worth several hundred crore rupees .
Dr Aggarwal was removed from the DGHS post on 21 May and later suspended on the orders of Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu .
Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga was previously arrested and interrogated in the same case, helping trace further links.
Investigators are examining whether additional officials or private entities were involved, with more arrests not ruled out.
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government has arrested former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal in connection with an alleged multi-crore medical procurement scam involving irregularities in the purchase of medicines, surgical items, and medical equipment. The arrest was made on Saturday, 28 June, even as Aggarwal was already under suspension at the time of her custody.
In the same operation, the ACB also arrested Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra, who allegedly held a key role in financial approvals and accounts management linked to the same case.
What the Scam Involves
According to ACB officials, the alleged irregularities centre on procurement carried out through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA), which functions under the DGHS. The transactions under scrutiny are reportedly worth several hundred crore rupees and span the purchase of medicines, surgical supplies, and medical equipment for Delhi's public health infrastructure.
Investigators are examining documents related to tendering, technical and financial evaluations, contract allocations, supply verification, inspection processes, approvals, and payments — effectively reconstructing the entire procurement chain to identify where established rules may have been bypassed.
How the Investigation Was Triggered
The probe was initiated after the Vigilance Department flagged suspicious transactions and possible violations in procurement procedures. The ACB subsequently launched a detailed scrutiny of the full procurement cycle. Earlier in the investigation, Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga was arrested and interrogated, with custodial questioning reportedly helping investigators trace additional links in the procurement network.
Aggarwal's Background and Suspension
Dr Aggarwal was removed from the DGHS post on 21 May and placed under an 'awaiting posting' order before being transferred to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. She was subsequently suspended at the direction of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to facilitate disciplinary proceedings. Her direct association with procurement processes during her tenure as DGHS has made her a central figure in the case, according to a senior official.
What Investigators Are Looking For
The ACB is currently working to determine at which stage the alleged irregularities occurred, who benefited from the contracts, and whether additional officials or private entities were involved. Officials added that the probe is focused on establishing whether any financial misconduct led to wrongful gains for individuals or organisations.
The case is being viewed as one of the most significant anti-corruption actions targeting Delhi's health procurement system in recent years, with investigators continuing to examine large volumes of financial and administrative records. Further arrests are not ruled out as the probe widens.
Point of View
Not just at the clerical level. The fact that Aggarwal was suspended before her arrest, and that a prior arrest had already been made, suggests the ACB built its case methodically rather than acting on political impulse. What remains unresolved is the role of private vendors: procurement scams of this scale rarely involve only government officials. The probe's credibility will hinge on whether the ACB follows the money to the contracting firms and not just the bureaucrats who signed off.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and why was she arrested?
Dr Vatsala Aggarwal is the former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) of Delhi, arrested on 28 June by the Anti-Corruption Branch in connection with an alleged multi-crore medical procurement scam. She was already under suspension at the time of her arrest, having been removed from the DGHS post on 21 May.
What is the Delhi medical procurement scam about?
The scam involves alleged financial irregularities in the purchase of medicines, surgical items, and medical equipment through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the DGHS. Transactions worth several hundred crore rupees are reportedly under scrutiny, covering tendering, contract allocation, supply verification, and payments.
Who else has been arrested in this case?
Along with Dr Aggarwal, Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra was arrested in the same operation. Earlier, Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga had also been arrested and interrogated as part of the investigation.
What triggered the ACB investigation?
The probe was initiated after the Vigilance Department flagged suspicious transactions and potential violations in procurement procedures. This prompted the ACB to launch a detailed examination of the entire procurement cycle, including tendering, financial evaluations, and payment records.
What happens next in the investigation?
The ACB is continuing to examine large volumes of financial and administrative records to determine who benefited from the contracts and whether private entities were involved. Further arrests have not been ruled out as investigators work to reconstruct the full procurement chain.
