Delhi ACB arrests 2 health officials over ₹100s-crore procurement scam
Synopsis
Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested two former senior health officials — including the ex-Director General Health Services — over an alleged multi-hundred-crore scam involving rigged tenders for medicines, X-ray machines, and surgical supplies. The FIR names conspiracy with private firms to defraud the public exchequer, and investigators are now chasing a money trail that could implicate a broader network.
Key Takeaways
Delhi ACB arrested Vatsala Aggarwal (ex-DGHS) and Neeraj Chopra (DCA, CPA) on 28 June in a health procurement scam.
Alleged irregularities cover portable X-ray machines, C-arm equipment, anaesthesia workstations, ORS, medicines, and surgical consumables — all reportedly procured at inflated rates.
Government funds amounting to several hundred crores of rupees are alleged to have been misutilised.
FIR registered on 2 June under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .
Both accused produced before Rouse Avenue Special Judge ; one-day police custody remand sought to trace evidence and co-conspirators.
The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Sunday, 28 June arrested two former senior officials of the state Health department in connection with alleged large-scale irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical consumables, and medical equipment worth several hundred crores of rupees. The arrests mark one of the most significant anti-corruption actions targeting the health procurement apparatus in recent years.
Who Was Arrested
Vatsala Aggarwal, the then Director General Health Services (DGHS), and Neeraj Chopra, Deputy Controller of Accounts (DCA) of the DGHS's Central Procurement Agency (CPA), were taken into custody by the ACB. Both were arrested on Saturday following sustained questioning by investigators, according to an official statement.
What the Allegations Allege
The alleged irregularities span a wide range of medical supplies and equipment, including portable X-ray machines, bed sheets and linen, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), surgical consumables, and medicines — all reportedly procured at inflated rates through manipulated tender processes.
According to the complaint received from the Directorate of Vigilance, certain public servants allegedly conspired with private individuals to frame tailor-made technical specifications that favoured selected suppliers, systematically excluding genuine competitors from the bidding process. The alleged outcome: wrongful loss to the government exchequer and corresponding wrongful gain to private entities.
Legal Basis for the FIR
An FIR dated 2 June was registered at the ACB Police Station under Sections 7A, 13(1)(a), 13(1)(b), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), read with Sections 61(2), 316(5), 318(4), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The complaint originated from the Delhi government's own Directorate of Vigilance, signalling an internal accountability push.
Remand and Next Steps in Investigation
Both accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act), where the ACB sought a one-day police custody remand for custodial interrogation. Investigators stated the remand was sought to recover incriminating documentary and electronic evidence, trace missing procurement records, identify other beneficiaries and co-conspirators, verify the money trail, and 'unearth the larger conspiracy,' according to the official statement.
This comes amid heightened scrutiny of procurement practices in Delhi's public health system, with the case potentially implicating a wider network of private suppliers and officials. Investigators have indicated the probe is ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as the money trail is examined.
Point of View
Rather than a whistleblower or opposition tip-off, suggests the current administration is using internal accountability channels — but the question of how long these irregularities went undetected, and who else in the supply chain benefited, remains unanswered. The money trail, which investigators say is still being traced, will determine whether this ends at two arrests or expands into a systemic indictment of Delhi's public health procurement ecosystem.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the Delhi ACB arrested in the health procurement case?
The ACB arrested Vatsala Aggarwal , the former Director General Health Services (DGHS), and Neeraj Chopra , Deputy Controller of Accounts of the DGHS Central Procurement Agency (CPA), on 28 June. Both are accused of allegedly manipulating procurement processes to benefit selected private suppliers.
What items were allegedly procured at inflated rates?
The alleged irregularities involve portable X-ray machines, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, bed sheets and linen, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), surgical consumables, and medicines. All were reportedly procured through manipulated tender conditions that excluded genuine bidders.
How much money is alleged to have been misused?
According to the complaint from the Directorate of Vigilance, government funds amounting to several hundred crores of rupees were allegedly misutilised. The exact figure is subject to ongoing investigation, with investigators still tracing the money trail.
Under which laws has the FIR been registered?
The FIR, dated 2 June, was registered under Sections 7A, 13(1)(a), 13(1)(b), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018), read with Sections 61(2), 316(5), 318(4), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at the ACB Police Station in Delhi.
What is the current status of the case?
Both accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act), where the ACB sought a one-day police custody remand. Investigators aim to recover documentary and electronic evidence, trace missing procurement records, and identify other co-conspirators and beneficiaries.
