Latest news with #SaurabhBharadwaj
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CM Gupta flags off 100 new DEVI buses
Jun 28, 2025 05:26 AM IST Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off 100 more electric buses as part of government's 'DEVI' initiative, aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity while curbing air pollution. The saffron colour of the 100 buses prompted AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj to hit out at the BJP government. The colors of the last two fleet of the buses were green. CM said the change in the color represents the diversity of the capital. CM Rekha Gupta with cabinet ministers Pankaj Kumar Singh and BJP MP Yogender Chandolia flags off 105 new DEVI buses (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO) 'These low-floor, AC, wheelchair-friendly buses are equipped with panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and real-time tracking features. At 9 meters long, these e-buses are specially designed for efficient last-mile connectivity. Over 2000 electric buses are already operational in Delhi, and the government is working towards making the entire transport system electric by 2027,' CM Gupta said. This was the third largest DEVi buses flag off. The last batch of 200 e-buses under this category was flagged off by PM Narendra Modi on June 5. So far Delhi has 700 DEVi buses. Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, UK, Bangladesh, and Russia get all the latest headlines in one place with including Vance Luther Boelteron Hindustan Times.
Time of India
4 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.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
ACB files FIR against Bharadwaj and Jain in hospital ‘scam'
The Delhi Government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Thursday registered an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party leaders and former Health Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendra Jain in connection with alleged corruption in the implementation of health infrastructure projects during the tenure of the AAP government, an official said. The leaders, along with unknown government officials and private contractors, were booked under section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonesty), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. AAP hits back In response, AAP questioned why the FIR had not been made public yet. 'Is the FIR so baseless that the BJP fears it will become a national joke if released publicly?' the party said in a statement, adding that the case is a 'blatant misuse of agencies' to defame its leaders. The FIR has been filed in connection with an August 2024 complaint made by BJP leader and then Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta, highlighting 'grave irregularities and suspected corruption in health infrastructure projects including systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors'. According to a senior ACB official, the complainant alleged that during 2018-19, 24 hospital projects worth ₹5,590 crores were sanctioned. However, these projects remained largely incomplete, with substantial and unexplained cost escalations. Similarly, the ₹1,125 crore ICU Hospital Project, covering 7 pre-engineered facilities with a total of 6,800 beds, remains only 50% complete after nearly three years and expenditure of ₹800 crores, despite an initial six-month completion timeline, the official added. 'Approvals not taken' 'Verification of the complaint revealed unauthorised additional construction at government hospitals in Jwalapuri and Madipur carried out without approval from competent authorities. Notably, the Madipur hospital project was to be completed by November 2022, but remains abandoned and far from completion. Further, it was revealed that the 7 ICU hospitals have witnessed cost escalations exceeding 100%, with construction still incomplete well beyond the deadline of February 2022,' said the official. Further, he added that verification also found that the New Block at LNJP Hospital saw project costs escalate from ₹488 crores to ₹1,135 crores over four years, with the structure still incomplete beyond its January 2023 deadline. During the investigation, the officials also found that the Polyclinic Project also indicated misuse of funds where only 52 out of 94 planned clinics were constructed, while the cost rose from ₹168 crores to ₹220 crores. Many of these polyclinics remain non-functional. '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 and a free, cost-effective solution from NIC (e-Hospital) was deliberately rejected without justification,' he added. 'Tender rules violated' The ACB also found serious violations of rules, tender conditions, and financial protocols 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.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Medical Exam Rules Out Sexual Assault Of Woman Who Died At Delhi Hospital
New Delhi: The Delhi government on Thursday said that medical examination of a 23-year-old woman who died during treatment at a government hospital showed no signs of sexual assault, despite allegations to the contrary. The statement came after the Opposition slammed the BJP-led Delhi government over the matter, flagging the "deteriorating" law and order situation and "crumbling" health infrastructure in the national capital. The woman was allegedly molested by a patient in the same ward at the Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, where she was initially admitted. She was later referred to the GTB Hospital, where she succumbed during treatment. The accused, identified as Mohammed Faiz, a resident of Kachchi Khajuri, was arrested soon after, police said. "A committee of senior doctors/officials was constituted on June 23 at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital to inquire into the matter. As per reports submitted by the medical superintendent (MS) of JPCH, it was revealed through medical examination of the victim that no physical or sexual assault was found," the government statement said. The hospital reports claimed that the woman was found lying unconscious on June 21 in Sonia Vihar. She was brought to the Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital by Delhi Police and was given proper treatment, the statement said. On June 22, the woman was moved from the casualty ward to the high dependency unit (HDU). She allegedly went missing from the HDU in the wee hours of June 23 and was later found on the hospital premises that afternoon. She was referred to the GTB Hospital on June 23 evening with a diagnosis of suspected poisoning. She passed away the next day during treatment. The statement also stressed that CCTV cameras were functional outside the HDU of JPCH, and as part of the inquiry into the incident, necessary footage was collected and handed over to the investigating officer. "On the basis of the committee findings and CCTV footage, the details of the on-duty nursing officer, sanitation staff and security guard have been shared with the investigating officer on June 25, and further investigation is being carried out by Delhi Police," the statement said. The woman's post-mortem will be conducted at the GTB Hospital after completing the necessary legal procedures. Her body is currently in the mortuary, and her close relatives and acquaintances are being traced, the statement said. Earlier in the day, former Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the government of trying to cover up the incident. "I have never heard of anything like this before that a patient who came to the hospital for treatment was raped and later died. The government made significant efforts to cover up the incident. Government schools and hospitals are deteriorating," Bharadwaj, also the AAP Delhi convener, said. He also claimed that in 2013, a patient was sexually assaulted in the same hospital. "In 2013, during the Congress' tenure, there was a rape incident involving a patient at Delhi's Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, though it did not result in death. The current case signals that the pre-2013 system is returning in Delhi," he charged. Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said the incident "fully exposed the crumbling healthcare system, weak security arrangements in hospitals, and the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi". He also accused the Delhi government of squandering taxpayer money to gloat over its "achievements" of the past 100 days.
Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj, Satyendra Jain booked in alleged hospital scam
The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government on Thursday filed a first information report against Aam Aadmi Party leaders and former ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain in connection with alleged irregularities in the construction of 24 hospitals, reported The Indian Express. The case stems from a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vijender Gupta in August. Gupta had alleged that Bharadwaj and Jain were involved in systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors, according to the newspaper. In 2018-'19, the then- Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi sanctioned 24 hospital projects, of which 11 were greenfield and 13 brownfield, for Rs 5,590 crore, reported ANI. However, unexplained delays and massive cost overruns 'amounting to several hundred crores' have been found in the projects, the news agency quoted Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma as saying. Verma added that none of the projects have been completed within the stipulated time. The development and improvement of an existing project is classified as brownfield while construction of a new facility is considered a greenfield. In its FIR, the Anti-Corruption Branch has also flagged alleged irregularities in the construction of the Rs 1,125 crore Intensive Care Unit hospital project, which was intended to be completed in six months but remains only 50% finished after nearly three years and an expenditure of Rs 800 crore, The Indian Express reported. The branch further claimed that upon verification of Gupta's complaint, it was found that unauthorised constructions had taken place at government hospitals in Jwalapuri and Madipur. Further, the construction of a new block at the Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Hospital awarded to Swadeshi Civil Infrastructure Private Limited saw costs jump from Rs 488 crore to Rs 1,135 crore with construction still incomplete, claimed the Anti-Corruption Branch. It was due to be completed by January 2023, ANI reported. Significant mismanagement of funds was also observed in a polyclinic project, with only 52 out of 94 clinics being built and costs rising from Rs 168 crore to Rs 220 crore, alleged the branch. It added that many of these polyclinics remain non-functional, according to The Indian Express.
