The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a series of raids in Delhi, including at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj. The action is part of an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in the construction of government hospitals during his tenure as Delhi’s Health Minister. According to reports, the ED is conducting searches at 13 different locations across Delhi in connection with the probe.
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against Bharadwaj and former health minister Satyendar Jain, accusing them of being involved in large-scale corruption tied to health infrastructure projects commissioned by the Delhi government.
“24 hospital projects – including 11 greenfield and 13 brownfield developments – were sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹5,590 crore during 2018–19. These projects have been significantly delayed, with sharp cost escalations, pointing to potential embezzlement,” said the ACB.
The statement further alleged “massive irregularities, unexplained delays, and significant misappropriation of funds” in relation to the construction of hospitals, polyclinics, and intensive care units across the city.
In response to the raids, the Aam Aadmi Party has dismissed the case as politically motivated and factually inaccurate. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “Saurabh Bharadwaj was not the health minister at the time when this alleged scam took place. This entire case is fabricated. It’s just like Satyendar Jain’s case, where false charges were framed to target AAP leaders.” The party has alleged that the case is an example of continued political harassment by federal agencies.
The ACB clarified that the case was initiated only after receiving the necessary approvals. “The case was registered after obtaining permission under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” said the ACB.
The complaint, which triggered the investigation, was lodged by Vijender Gupta, then Leader of the Opposition in Delhi, on 22 August 2024. Gupta reportedly detailed serious financial and procedural irregularities in various healthcare infrastructure projects under the Delhi government.
This adds to a growing list of AAP leaders under scrutiny by the ED. Previous high-profile figures including Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Amanatullah Khan, and even former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have been subjects of ED raids. While Sisodia and Kejriwal were investigated in the Delhi excise policy case, Jain faced action in relation to the Delhi Jal Board scam, and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan was targeted under money laundering charges.
