DELHI NEWS : The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has officially been authorized to investigate former Health Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain over allegations of corruption in large-scale hospital infrastructure projects. The investigation was approved on May 6, 2025, following a recommendation by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, and is based on a complaint filed by BJP leader Vijender Gupta on August 22, 2024.
The complaint accuses the two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of being involved in major financial irregularities and mismanagement within the health department during their tenure, particularly in projects funded with thousands of crores.
Massive Funds, Limited Progress
Between 2018 and 2019, the Delhi government had allocated ₹5,590 crore for 24 hospital projects — including 11 new (greenfield) and 13 renovation (brownfield) initiatives. Despite the substantial funding, several of these projects experienced major delays and significant cost escalations. Additionally, ₹1,125 crore was sanctioned for seven ICU hospitals with 6,800 beds, yet only half the work was completed in three years, despite ₹800 crore already being spent.
Projects Under Scrutiny
Among the projects under investigation is the expansion of LNJP Hospital, where the initial budget of ₹465.52 crore reportedly swelled to ₹1,125 crore in just four years. Authorities suspect major administrative lapses or possible misuse of funds.
Another project under the scanner involves the development of 94 polyclinics, with an estimated cost of ₹168.53 crore. This, too, is being reviewed for procedural violations and potential financial mismanagement.
Political Fallout
Both Bharadwaj and Jain are senior AAP figures and close allies of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The launch of this high-stakes investigation could prove politically damaging for the party and has already stirred significant political discussion in Delhi.
With the ACB now leading the probe, attention turns to whether the investigation will expose what could be one of the most serious public healthcare infrastructure scams in the capital’s history.