Delhi HC grants bail to 2 senior doctors in Rs 842 crore DGHS procurement case
Bail
New Delhi: In a major relief to two senior doctors arrested in connection with the alleged Rs 842-crore Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) medical procurement scam, the Delhi High Court on Friday granted them regular bail, observing that their continued custody was no longer necessary as the investigation had substantially progressed.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has filed a chargesheet alleging a loss of Rs 842 crore to the public exchequer in connection with the Delhi government's medical procurement scam. The chargesheet details alleged manipulation of tenders, inflated prices of medical equipment, preferential treatment to selected companies, irregular payments and the disappearance of 10 crucial procurement files.
Justice Sachin Datta noted that the prosecution's case rested largely on documentary and electronic evidence that had already been seized by the investigating agency.
“Since both the applicants are doctors, with permanent residences in Delhi and no criminal antecedents, there is nothing on record to suggest that either applicant is a flight risk. One of the doctors, in particular, abided by the conditions of her interim bail and surrendered on the appointed date,” the Court said.
The court further noted that although further investigation was pending, the probe was now primarily focused on the forensic examination of seized material, scrutiny of records and investigation into other persons and firms allegedly involved in the case.
The prosecution had argued that certain tender files had gone missing and that the accused had failed to produce specific mobile phones.
However, Justice Datta observed that the missing files remained untraced despite the applicants having been in custody for several months and multiple premises having been searched.
The court also pointed out that no money had been traced to either of the applicants. It further observed that the alleged financial loss of Rs 842 crore had not been conclusively established.
“The amount of Rs. 842 crores represents payments made to the five firms, even though the charge-sheet describes it as a wrongful loss. To this effect, the status report, with regard to the X-ray procurement, in paragraph 56, itself states that the difference in quoted prices cannot be treated as a conclusively established financial loss without reconciling the applicable taxes, specifications and underlying procurement records,” it observed.
After considering these circumstances, the court concluded that further detention was not warranted at this stage.
The case stems from an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR concerns alleged corruption in the procurement of medicines, surgical items, medical equipment and linen by the Delhi government's Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
According to the prosecution, procurement orders issued by the CPA, which functioned under the DGHS, contained restrictive and tailor-made specifications allegedly designed to favour firms linked to a co-accused.
One of the doctors was serving as the Head of Office of the CPA, while the other was the Director General of DGHS at the time of the alleged irregularities.
The prosecution has alleged that payments amounting to approximately Rs 842 crore were made to five firms through the procurement process under investigation.
While granting regular bail, the High Court imposed several conditions on the two doctors.
They have been barred from entering the premises of the CPA or DGHS without prior permission. They have also been restrained from contacting prosecution witnesses and cannot leave the National Capital Region (NCR) without obtaining prior approval from the court.
The court clarified that its observations were limited to deciding the present bail applications and should not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case or as having any bearing on the trial.
To view the order, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/11/10/drvinodkumarrangaanrvstatenctofdelhi-482988.pdf
Also Read:Rs 700 crore medical procurement fraud: Delhi ACB arrests pharma distributor
