Hospital Scam Case: ED Raids AAP Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj’s Residence
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The ACB's complaint, initiated after an allegation from Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta in August of the previous year, cites "grave irregularities and suspected corruption." The complaint alleges "systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors" in various health infrastructure projects.
Why Did the ED Conduct Raids?
According to officials, the searches were carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act ( PMLA ). The investigation stems from an FIR registered by Delhi’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in June 2024. The FIR named Saurabh Bharadwaj , former health minister Satyendar Jain, private contractors and unidentified officials over alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores.
The ACB complaint alleged “systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors.” It further claimed that during 2018-19, 24 hospital projects worth ₹5,590 crore were sanctioned but remain incomplete, with steep cost escalations. One of the flagship projects, the ₹1,125 crore ICU Hospital Project with a capacity of 6,800 beds, is reportedly only 50 per cent complete after nearly three years despite spending ₹800 crore.
AAP leaders strongly criticised the ED’s action. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X: “The way AAP is being targeted has never been done to any party in history. AAP is being targeted because it is the most vocal voice against the Modi government’s wrong policies and corrupt deeds. The Modi government wants to suppress our voice. AAP is not one to be scared of these BJP raids.”
Senior AAP leader Atishi alleged that the raids were politically motivated to divert attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree controversy. She stated: “The raid was conducted to divert attention from this discussion. The case being cited pertains to a time when Saurabh ji was not even a minister. This means the entire case is baseless.
ED’s Official Stand
In its statement, the ED clarified that the searches were based on material collected during the investigation and allegations in the FIR, which included “large-scale corruption, unjustified cost escalations, unauthorised constructions, and misappropriation of funds in health infrastructure projects of GNCTD.” Bharadwaj, who has served three terms as MLA from Greater Kailash and held portfolios including health, urban development and water in the Delhi government, has not issued an immediate personal response. The case continues to stir a political storm in the national capital, with AAP alleging misuse of agencies and BJP pressing corruption charges against the party’s leadership.
What’s Next in the Case?
The case continues to stir a political storm in the national capital, with AAP alleging misuse of central agencies, while BJP insists on corruption charges against the party’s leadership
Why Did the ED Conduct Raids?
According to officials, the searches were carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act ( PMLA ). The investigation stems from an FIR registered by Delhi’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in June 2024. The FIR named Saurabh Bharadwaj , former health minister Satyendar Jain, private contractors and unidentified officials over alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores.You may also like
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Allegations of Misuse of Funds
The ACB complaint alleged “systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors.” It further claimed that during 2018-19, 24 hospital projects worth ₹5,590 crore were sanctioned but remain incomplete, with steep cost escalations. One of the flagship projects, the ₹1,125 crore ICU Hospital Project with a capacity of 6,800 beds, is reportedly only 50 per cent complete after nearly three years despite spending ₹800 crore.
AAP Calls Case Politically Motivated
AAP leaders strongly criticised the ED’s action. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X: “The way AAP is being targeted has never been done to any party in history. AAP is being targeted because it is the most vocal voice against the Modi government’s wrong policies and corrupt deeds. The Modi government wants to suppress our voice. AAP is not one to be scared of these BJP raids.”
Senior AAP leader Atishi alleged that the raids were politically motivated to divert attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree controversy. She stated: “The raid was conducted to divert attention from this discussion. The case being cited pertains to a time when Saurabh ji was not even a minister. This means the entire case is baseless.
ED’s Official Stand
In its statement, the ED clarified that the searches were based on material collected during the investigation and allegations in the FIR, which included “large-scale corruption, unjustified cost escalations, unauthorised constructions, and misappropriation of funds in health infrastructure projects of GNCTD.” Bharadwaj, who has served three terms as MLA from Greater Kailash and held portfolios including health, urban development and water in the Delhi government, has not issued an immediate personal response. The case continues to stir a political storm in the national capital, with AAP alleging misuse of agencies and BJP pressing corruption charges against the party’s leadership.
What’s Next in the Case?
The case continues to stir a political storm in the national capital, with AAP alleging misuse of central agencies, while BJP insists on corruption charges against the party’s leadership
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