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New Delhi: 2 former health ministers of Delhi are about to face the wrath. The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government has got approval to investigate the hospital scam worth thousands of crores against former health ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain. This investigation was approved on 6 May 2025 on the recommendation of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
Who had complained? What is the allegation?
Vijendra Gupta had filed a complaint in this matter on 22 August 2024. It is alleged that there has been corruption in the health department and both the former ministers are complicit in it.
What kind of irregularities happened?
It was said that in 2018-19, 24 hospital projects (11 greenfield and 13 brownfield) were approved for ₹5590 crores, but there were huge delays and the cost increased. Apart from this, ₹1125 crores were sanctioned for 7 ICU hospitals (6800 beds), but even after 3 years only 50% construction has been done and till now ₹800 crores have been spent.
There was also a matter of irregularities in the LNJP hospital project. It was sanctioned at a cost of ₹465.52 crores and now the cost has increased to ₹1125 crores i.e. the cost has increased three times in four years. Apart from this, the polyclinic project is also under question. There are allegations of corruption in 94 polyclinic schemes as well. It has been said that major irregularities have come to the fore in the ₹168.53 crore scheme.
It is worth noting that Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain are strong leaders of Aam Aadmi Party and are considered very close to Arvind Kejriwal. In such a situation, the matter of investigation against these two leaders can create problems for the Aam Aadmi Party. It remains to be seen what truth comes out in this matter after the investigation. At present, a round of discussions has started in the political circles on this issue.
