Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch Arrests Former Senior Health Official in Alleged Multi-Crore Medical Procurement Fraud

Summary:
The Delhi Government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested former Central Procurement Agency head Dr. Vinod Kumar Ranga in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of medicines, medical equipment, and healthcare supplies. The investigation stems from allegations that tender conditions and technical specifications were manipulated to favour certain vendors, resulting in undue benefits to private firms and financial losses to the government. Authorities are examining purchases worth several hundred crore rupees, including medical devices, medicines, surgical consumables, and hospital supplies. Investigators have also reported missing procurement records and have obtained four days of police custody to probe the wider conspiracy, identify other beneficiaries, trace financial transactions, and gather additional evidence. 

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government on Thursday arrested Dr. Vinod Kumar Ranga in connection with an alleged corruption case involving irregularities in the procurement of medicines, medical devices, surgical supplies, and consumables. The case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with provisions related to criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The action follows an FIR lodged on June 2 based on a complaint forwarded by the Directorate of Vigilance. The complaint alleged that certain public officials and private individuals colluded to manipulate procurement procedures, tender conditions, and technical specifications in a manner that favoured selected vendors. The alleged actions resulted in undue benefits for private firms while causing financial losses to the government.

Dr. Ranga previously served as the Head of Office of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Investigators have alleged that tender specifications were tailored to benefit particular suppliers, effectively excluding genuine competitors from the bidding process. It is also alleged that government funds amounting to several hundred crore rupees were improperly utilised.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police Vikramjit Singh, the investigation relates to the procurement of various healthcare products at significantly inflated prices through alleged rate manipulation. The purchases under scrutiny include portable X-ray machines, C-arm imaging systems, anaesthesia workstations, oral rehydration solution (ORS), surgical consumables, medicines, as well as bed linen supplied to government healthcare institutions.

During the probe, officials examined procurement records, supporting documents, and related files. Investigators reportedly discovered that several important records linked to the procurement process were unavailable and had been under Dr. Ranga’s custody. Authorities stated that during questioning, he was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the missing files or certain aspects of the procurement decisions.

In an official statement, Singh said custodial interrogation was considered necessary to recover missing documents, uncover the broader conspiracy, identify additional beneficiaries and associates, trace financial transactions, and obtain relevant documentary and electronic evidence.

Dr. Ranga was presented before a court on Friday, which granted investigators four days of police custody for further questioning. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and extends beyond a single individual, with the roles of other government officials, suppliers, private parties, and beneficiaries also being examined.