The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi has arrested three public officials in connection with a Rs 600-crore health scam, but the main private accused, Rajiv Ranglia, alias Rajeev Arora, remains at large. Ranglia has been named in an FIR for allegedly manipulating tender norms for the procurement of medical equipment by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Delhi.
Arrests Made and Key Accused Still Wanted
The ACB has so far arrested Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, former Head of Office of the CPA; Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former Director General of Health Services (DGHS); and Neeraj Chopra, Deputy Controller of Accounts (DCA) at the CPA, DGHS. However, Rajiv Ranglia, described as a supplier and liaisoner, has not yet been apprehended.
According to the ACB, the case stems from a complaint forwarded by the Directorate of Vigilance, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). The complaint alleges that public servants and private individuals entered into a criminal conspiracy to manipulate procurement processes and tender conditions to favour select firms, resulting in wrongful financial gains for private parties and losses to the government.
Modus Operandi: Fake Companies and Pre-decided Manufacturer
It is alleged that Ranglia created fake companies with fictitious owners, namely F Med Devices, Technocrats, Raj Shree, Ashi Surgical and Pharmaceuticals, and M Sahib and Sons Pvt Ltd. These entities were declared as authorized distributors by a pre-decided manufacturer company. This scheme allowed the accused to rig the tender process and secure lucrative contracts for medical equipment supply.
The ACB registered an FIR on June 2 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including charges related to criminal conspiracy. The investigation has involved scrutiny of procurement records and official documents.
Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The alleged scam involves approximately Rs 600 crore, making it one of the largest health sector frauds in Delhi. The ACB continues to investigate the matter, with a focus on tracing the flow of funds and identifying other individuals who may have been involved. The unarrested status of Ranglia remains a key concern for investigators.
