Latest news with #Anti-CorruptionBranch
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Suspended Delhi govt official, pvt contractor arrested for ₹4.6 crore scam
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested a suspended executive engineer of the Delhi government's Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department and a private contractor for allegedly stealing more than ₹ 4.6 crore public funds meant for a civic project in Siraspur, north Delhi, police said on Monday. The ACB probe began after a tip-off to the I&FC department's vigilance branch, after which a physical verification of multiple projects was undertaken. (Representational image) The accused were identified as Gagan Kureel, the executive engineer under suspension since December 2023, and Arun Gupta, a proprietor of Baba Construction Pvt Ltd. 'The two were arrested after a probe revealed fraudulent disbursal of payments for road and drain works that were never executed,' said joint commissioner of police (ACB) Madhur Verma. The ACB probe began after a tip-off to the I&FC department's vigilance branch, after which a physical verification of multiple projects was undertaken. The inspection team found that the roads and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) drains billed and paid for existed only on paper, police said. 'In four separate tenders, officials disbursed the entire project cost of ₹ 4.6 crore even though no physical work was executed,' said Verma. During the probe, officials allegedly found that Baba Construction was paid ₹ 4.2 crore out of sanctioned contracts worth ₹ 5.3 crore and no work was executed. In Burari, another contractor, Amba Construction, received ₹ 43.74 lakh over and above the sanctioned contract of ₹ 38.98 lakh for repair and painting works that were never carried out, police said. ACB officials said the contractors submitted fake performance bank guarantees of ₹ 2.24 crore, which were accepted without verification. These documents were later found to be coloured photocopies not issued by any bank, police said. Police said that the original Computerised Measurement Books (CMBs) were missing and the executive engineer was evasive when questioned. 'Mandatory tests and checks were not conducted which indicates deliberate bypassing of protocol,' Verma said. Kureel, who was posted in the CD-7 Division of the I&FC department, and Gupta, were taken into custody following the registration of a first information report under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code including cheating, criminal conspiracy, and forgery as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act after obtaining prior sanction under Section 17A of the amended anti-corruption law. 'The investigation is ongoing to identify the involvement of other public officials and private individuals who may be complicit in the scam. Further arrests and departmental actions are likely as more evidence emerges,' Verma said.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Transaction adviser being appointed for PPP model in 11 hospitals
New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Friday that the government is working to introduce the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in 11 hospitals and a transaction adviser is being appointed for the purpose. Speaking to reporters after an inspection at Bawana's Maharshi Valmiki hospital, Singh said the government is committed to implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and address concerns of patients and the doctors. 'We have come across some lapses and shortcomings at Maharshi Valmiki Hospital and I have ordered their resolution within 15 days,' said Singh. He claimed that the Health Department was on the path of recovery after suffering due to mismanagement of the previous AAP government. The Health Minister pointed to delays in construction of an operation theatre at the hospital which has not been completed for over a year, problems with civil works, and shortage of staff. The Delhi Health Minister's visit to the hospital comes a day after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) booked former health ministers and AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain for alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects involving 24 hospitals and expenditure of Rs 5,590 crore by the Delhi Government. A cheating, breach of trust and conspiracy case was registered after the Centre, on the recommendation of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, granted sanction for proceedings against the previous government's minister under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The financial embezzlement linked to the projects, mired in inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns, took place in 2018-19, said the official. Massive irregularities, unexplained delays, and significant misappropriation of funds have been found in the construction of various hospitals, polyclinics and ICU infrastructure across the city, said an investigator. Substantial deviations and cost escalations, amounting to several hundred crores, were observed. Not a single project was completed within the prescribed timeline, said the complaint filed on August 22 by the then Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta. Gupta had highlighted grave irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects under the GNCTD. The complaint named former Health Ministers Bharadwaj and Jain, alleging systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds, and collusion with private contractors.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Transaction adviser being appointed for PPP model in 11 hospitals: Delhi Minister
New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Friday that the government is working to introduce the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in 11 hospitals and a transaction adviser is being appointed for the purpose. Speaking to reporters after an inspection at Bawana's Maharshi Valmiki hospital, Singh said the government is committed to implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and address concerns of patients and the doctors. 'We have come across some lapses and shortcomings at Maharshi Valmiki Hospital and I have ordered their resolution within 15 days,' said Singh. He claimed that the Health Department was on the path of recovery after suffering due to mismanagement of the previous AAP government. The Health Minister pointed to delays in construction of an operation theatre at the hospital which has not been completed for over a year, problems with civil works, and shortage of staff. The Delhi Health Minister's visit to the hospital comes a day after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) booked former health ministers and AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain for alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects involving 24 hospitals and expenditure of Rs 5,590 crore by the Delhi Government. A cheating, breach of trust and conspiracy case was registered after the Centre, on the recommendation of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, granted sanction for proceedings against the previous government's minister under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The financial embezzlement linked to the projects, mired in inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns, took place in 2018-19, said the official. Massive irregularities, unexplained delays, and significant misappropriation of funds have been found in the construction of various hospitals, polyclinics and ICU infrastructure across the city, said an investigator. Substantial deviations and cost escalations, amounting to several hundred crores, were observed. Not a single project was completed within the prescribed timeline, said the complaint filed on August 22 by the then Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta. Gupta had highlighted grave irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects under the GNCTD. The complaint named former Health Ministers Bharadwaj and Jain, alleging systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds, and collusion with private contractors.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
ACB Files Case Against AAP's Jain, Bharadwaj
New Delhi: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against former health ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain, besides some govt officials and private contractors, alleging large-scale corruption in Delhi govt's health infrastructure projects. The investigation is claimed to have revealed massive irregularities, unexplained delays and significant misappropriation of funds in the construction of various hospitals, polyclinics and ICU infrastructure across the city. ACB is in the process of sending summons to the two former AAP ministers as well as a few govt officers of the health and PWD departments, proprietors of two private firms, contractors and some private individuals, according to sources. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The FIR filed by the agency reveals systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors. "Substantial deviations and cost escalations, amounting to several hundred crores, were observed. Not a single project was completed within the prescribed timeline. Serious violations of rules, tender conditions and financial protocols were uncovered during scrutiny, revealing deliberate delays, inflated project costs, rejection of viable alternatives, and the creation of idle assets -- collectively leading to massive losses to the public exchequer," ACB said in its statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The probe began last year after a complaint was filed by Vijender Gupta, the then Leader of Opposition, on Aug 22, 2024, alleging irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects. According to ACB, 24 hospital projects worth Rs 5,590 crore were sanctioned in 2018-19, but these were plagued by inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns, indicating massive financial embezzlement. "Similarly, the Rs 1,125 crore ICU Hospital Project, covering seven pre-engineered facilities with a total of 6,800 beds, remains only 50% complete after nearly three years and expenditure of Rs 800 crore, despite an initial six-month completion timeline," ACB said. The probe claimed to have revealed unauthorised additional construction at govt hospitals in Jwalapuri — by M/s Parnika Commercial & Estate Pvt Ltd — and Madipur — by M/s Ramacivil India Construction Pvt Ltd — carried out without approval from competent authorities. Notably, the Madipur hospital project was to be completed by Nov 2022, but remains abandoned and far from completion, states the FIR. Further, it was revealed that the seven ICU hospitals, contracted to M/s SAM India Buildwell Pvt Ltd, witnessed cost escalations exceeding 100%, with construction still incomplete well beyond the deadline of Feb 2022. "The new block at LNJP Hospital, awarded to M/s Swadeshi Civil Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, saw project costs escalate from Rs 488 crore to Rs 1,135 crore over four years, with the structure still incomplete beyond its Jan 2023 deadline," the FIR added. Additionally, the polyclinic project also indicated misuse of funds -- only 52 out of 94 planned clinics were constructed, while the cost rose from Rs 168 crore to Rs 220 crore. Many of these polyclinics remain non-functional, ACB said. "Despite a public announcement in 2016–17, the Health Information Management System (HIMS) -- a crucial tool for ensuring financial transparency in the health department -- remained unimplemented. A free, cost-effective solution from NIC (e-Hospital) was deliberately rejected without justification," ACB said. Based on the findings, a proposal seeking prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was submitted against the former health ministers. The FIR was filed after an approval was received from lieutenant governor V K Saxena. "Accordingly, FIR No. 37/2025 dated June 26, 2025 under Section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, read with Sections 409, 420, and 120-B of IPC, has been registered against Saurabh Bharadwaj, Satyendar Jain, yet to be identified govt officials, and private contractors. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and determine the roles and accountability of the former ministers, officials, and private entities involved," ACB added.
News18
6 days ago
- Health
- News18
Delhi ACB Books AAP's Satyendar Jain, Saurabh Bhardwaj In 'Health Infra Scam'; What's The Case?
Last Updated: The Anti-Corruption Branch acted on a complaint from Delhi BJP's Vijender Gupta, alleging serious irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has booked former Health Ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain in an alleged large-scale corruption case in health infrastructure projects. The ACB acted on a complaint given by former president of Delhi BJP Vijender Gupta, who was then the leader of the opposition in the assembly, alleging serious irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects. What does the complaint say? 24 hospital projects were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 5,590 crore in 2018-19. These projects were plagued by inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns. Misuse of public funds was done by systematic manipulation of budget, misuse of funds, and collusion with private contractors. As a result of this, there was a serious cost escalation, which eventually cost crores of rupees to the exchequer. What are the projects under scrutiny? The ACB conducted verification and allegedly found serious violations of rules, tender conditions, and financial protocols. Based on the findings, an FIR was registered against Saurabh Bhardwaj, Satyendar Jain, unknown government officials, and private contractors under Section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, read with Sections 409, 420, and 120-B of the IPC. First Published: June 26, 2025, 22:36 IST
