Delhi govt transfers Dr Vatsala Aggarwal to GTB hospital, hands interim additional Director Health Services charge to JPCH Medical Superintendent
Doctor Transferred
New Delhi: The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi, has recently transferred Dr Vatsala Aggarwal to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital with immediate effect.
As per an office order issued on June 1, 2026, Dr Aggarwal, who was serving as Director of Health Services (DHS), has been directed to report to the Medical Director of GTB Hospital for further duties and assignment of work.
"In supersession of all previous orders issued in respect of posting of Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, and with the approval of the Competent Authority, Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, Director, DHS, is hereby posted at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital with immediate effect," the order read.
It stated that the decision was taken with the approval of the competent authority, and all previous posting orders related to Dr Aggarwal stand cancelled. However, the order did not mention the reason behind her transfer.
Also read- CAT stays transfer of Delhi DGHS Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, HC to hear matter
The order further mentioned that the Medical Superintendent of Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital (JPCH) will look after the additional charge of Director, DHS, along with her own duties until further orders are issued.
"Dr. Vatsala Aggarwal is directed to report to the Medical Director, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital forthwith for further duties and assignment of work. The MS, JPCH shall look after the charge of Director, DHS in addition to her own duties till further orders. This issues with the approval of the Hon’ble L.G, Delhi," it added.
This comes just days after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) stayed an earlier government order, transferring Dr Vatsala Aggarwal from the post of Director General of Health Services (DGHS).
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that after around nine months of being appointed to the post of the Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr Aggarwal was transferred by the Delhi Government on May 21, 2026, and she was placed under "awaiting posting" status until further orders. In the interim, the Medical Superintendent of Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital (JPCH) was given the responsibility to look after the charge of the Director, Health Services, as per the existing link arrangements.
However, Dr Aggarwal had appealed against the order, and the Tribunal, while considering the prayer, observed that she had made out a ''prima facie case'' and that irreparable prejudice could be caused if the order was not stayed during the pendency of the matter.
Aggarwal had challenged the May 21 transfer order, claiming that it was linked to a recent vigilance inspection. In September last year, HT had reported that the vigilance branch of the health department had sought a response from the state-run Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) over a complaint claiming the role of former DSCI director Dr Vatsala Agrawal in the alleged irregularities in faculty recruitment at the institute.
According to the doctor's petition before the CAT, it was alleged that the transfer was linked to a recent vigilance inspection conducted in the health department. The plea stated that vigilance officials sought procurement-related files linked to medicines, surgical items and medical equipment on May 18 and 19.
As per the application, she cooperated fully with vigilance officials, shared available records and even sought duplicate ''shadow files'' to ensure continuity of patient care and procurement work. Her counsel argued that despite this cooperation, she was abruptly removed from the DGHS post within days of the vigilance exercise.
The application also argued that the transfer violated the Delhi Health Services transfer policy because she was moved without being given any substantive posting. According to the plea, she was overseeing Delhi Medical Council elections scheduled for May 31, and her sudden removal just before the polls showed ''non-application of mind''.
Commenting on this, an official aware of the matter from the Delhi health department told HT, "This order is issued as her posting was awaited, so now she has been assigned a posting as per the protocol."
A GTB official aware of the matter said, "She has currently been asked only to report to the MD of GTB. She has not joined her duties yet. Once she joins, following which, she will be assigned her duties."
