Delhi ACB Arrests Former PWD Chief, Private Firm Owners in Massive Hospital Corruption Case

Delhi's Anti Corruption Branch arrests ex-chief engineer of PWD and two private firm owners for corruption in hospital works, causing Rs 200 crore loss. Fake bills and significant irregularities were found. Investigation ongoing to uncover full conspiracy.

The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has arrested a former chief engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) and two private firm owners. This arrest is in connection with significant irregularities and massive corruption related to the execution of projects at eight Delhi government hospitals, including LNJP, GTB, BSA, and GB Pant, leading to a loss of around Rs 200 crore to the public exchequer, an official release stated on Friday.

According to the release, the involved firms and contractors claimed substantial amounts of money by presenting fake or forged bills. PWD officials approved these bills without adequate scrutiny, paying the private firms and contractors for either incomplete work or no work at all.

The ACB has registered a case under FIR No. 08/2024 u/s 7/13 of the POC Act alongside sections 420, 406, 468, 471, 120-B, and 34 of the IPC against PWD officials and the private firms or contractors. Throughout the investigation, ACB conducted a thorough examination of various works assigned to private firms and contractors in Delhi government hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several large-scale irregularities and fraudulent practices were discovered, involving PWD officials in collaboration with these firms and contractors.

Initial findings indicated significant discrepancies, particularly involving Anil Kumar Ahuja, Retired ADG/PWD, who was the then Chief Engineer/Health. He is alleged to have approved 56 projects awarded to 10 firms during the COVID-19 pandemic without distinguishing between emergent and urgent work, with required certifications missing from the respective files. The investigation aims to uncover the entire conspiracy and assign culpability to all involved officials and contractors. A proposal has been forwarded to obtain prior approval under section 17-A of the POC Act to investigate other implicated PWD officials.

Further details on the case are awaited. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)