Delhi Govt accuses Chief Secretary of multicrore scam at ILBS, hospital rebuffs all allegations

New Delhi: Controversy brewed in the capital related to the premier Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) after Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi raised serious allegations against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, claiming that the latter unfairly benefitted his son in getting a tender from the Delhi government, among others for an AI based software for ILBS hospital .

It is alleged by the Delhi Government, that Naresh Kumar's son Karan Chauhan's company MetaMix was allegedly tasked with the job of making an AI software "without tender" from the Delhi government's ILBS Hospital. Also, it was alleged that the company made windfall profits worth hundreds of crores from it.

The hospital on the other hand, held a press conference, refuting all the allegations and stating that Delhi Chief Secretary's son not associated with ILBS anyhow.

It was alleged by the Delhi Government that Naresh Kumar's son Karan Chauhan's company MetaMix was allegedly tasked with the job of making an AI software "without tender" from the Delhi government's ILBS Hospital. Also, it was alleged that the company made windfall profit worth hundreds of crores from it.

In her supplementary report that was sent to Kejriwal yesterday Kejriwal, it is reported Minister Atishi recommended that the Chief Secretary be immediately removed from his post and disciplinary action be taken against him. The supplementary report submitted by the Delhi Minister dated November 16, 2023, stated that Naresh Kumar's son's company was allegedly formed only seven months ago and had no experience in making AI-based software.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has forwarded a report to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) concerning an alleged hospital tender scam linked to the Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government's Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Hospital on Friday refuted the claims of Vigilance Minister Atishi and said that Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar's son Karan Chauhan is not related to the hospital in any way.

The hospital further clarified that Karan Chauhan is not a signatory to the MoU.

"It is being circulated that ILBS has given work to one AI software company without tender. It has been alleged that this company belongs to Karan Chauhan, who is the son of the Chief Secretary. Karan Chauhan is not a signatory of the MoU. Karan Chauhan is not connected with the company with which ILBS signed the MoU, as he is neither a shareholder nor a director, partner, employee or functionary in the said company. This is false reporting," it added.

It further said that an MoU was signed by ILBS on January 24 this year for a period of six months for research work, a copy of which is enclosed, and this MoU expired on July 23.

"Scope of this Project as per Schedule I of the MoU was to: Augmented reality (AR) is a technology of putting the static object into the real and dynamic object. In AR, each object is enhanced to become a real physical world which is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli. The augmented technology aims to be an alternative method for educators and learners that offers interactivity as compared to traditional methods," it added.

Further In an official statement, the hospital said that the media channels and websites have published 'false defamatory articles' and covered media reports on Friday against ILBS without even taking an official version of our well-established globally reputed organization.

"You are therefore requested to immediately stop publishing such false defamatory articles/media reports and also to remove such defamatory articles/media reports from your portal/website, social media handles, etc," the hospital said, asking the channels to tender an apology within seven days.

"You are also requested to publish (with same magnitude of which defamatory articles/media reports were pushed for the public consumption) an apology within 7 days for publishing such defamatory articles/media reports without obtaining official version of our organization, failing which ILBS reserves its rights to take action as per law," it added.

Naresh Kumar along with the Chief Secretary of Delhi, is also the Chairman of ILBS Hospital.

The affairs of the ILBS society are managed, administered, directed and controlled, by the orders of the governing council. The governing council of ILBS consists of policymakers, academicians, scientists and clinicians and is headed by the Chairperson -- the Chief Secretary.