Former Delhi Health Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain have been booked by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with a massive ₹5,590 crore hospital infrastructure scam, marking a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s clean governance narrative.
FIR Filed Over Delayed, Overpriced Projects
The FIR, registered after approval from the Union Home Ministry under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, alleges large-scale financial irregularities, inflated tenders, and unjustified delays in 24 hospital projects sanctioned between 2018 and 2019. These include 11 greenfield and 13 brownfield developments across Delhi.
“Not a single project was completed on time. Cost escalations ran into hundreds of crores,” said Joint Commissioner Madhur Verma, confirming the launch of a comprehensive probe.
Key Allegations
- Systematic manipulation of project budgets
- Misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors
- Unauthorized construction at hospitals in Jwalapuri and Madipur
- ICU hospital project worth ₹1,125 crore only 50% complete after three years and ₹800 crore spent
- LNJP Hospital block cost rose from ₹488 crore to ₹1,135 crore with no completion in sight
The complaint was originally filed by Vijender Gupta, then Leader of Opposition and now Delhi Assembly Speaker.
Political Fallout
The case is seen as a significant setback for the AAP, which has long positioned itself as a crusader against corruption. The ACB may summon both former ministers for questioning in the coming days.
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