Delhi medicine procurement allegations lead to suspension of former DGHS and BJRM Hospital official

The Delhi government has suspended former DGHS Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, former head of office at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, amid allegations of irregularities in medicine procurement. Official orders cite Rule 101 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, following directions from Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

The Delhi government has suspended two senior health officials amid claims of irregularities in medicine procurement, official orders showed. The action applies to Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former director general of health services, and Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga of BJRM Hospital. The orders said the suspensions took effect at once and referenced pending disciplinary proceedings.

Separate suspension orders were issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department’s Vigilance Branch on Tuesday. The documents said the step was taken under Rule 101 of the Central Civil Services Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1965. The suspensions were issued after directions from Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Delhi government suspension orders in medicine procurement case

The Delhi government has not publicly shared the exact allegations mentioned in the orders. The documents referred to contemplated disciplinary proceedings, but did not describe the suspected procurement violations. Dr Ranga was the former head of office and chief public analyst at the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial BJRM Hospital.

The orders said Delhi will remain the headquarters for Dr Aggarwal and Dr Ranga during the suspension period. They cannot leave Delhi without prior approval from the competent authority. The documents also noted eligibility for a subsistence allowance under Fundamental Rule 53, with conditions.

CAT petition linked to medicine procurement vigilance inspection

Dr Aggarwal filed a petition in May before the Central Administrative Tribunal CAT. The petition challenged an earlier Delhi government order that transferred Dr Aggarwal. That order also placed Dr Aggarwal under "awaiting posting\" status without a new role, according to the filing.

In the petition, Dr Aggarwal alleged the transfer was punitive and arbitrary. The filing linked the move to a recent vigilance inspection in the health department. The plea said officials sought procurement files for medicines, surgical items and medical equipment on May 18 and 19.

According to the application, Dr Aggarwal said full cooperation was provided during the inspection. The filing said available records were shared with vigilance officials. It also said duplicate shadow files were requested to keep patient care and procurement work running without disruption.

A prior statement from Dr Aggarwal’s counsel said the removal followed soon after the vigilance exercise. The statement said Dr Aggarwal was abruptly removed from the DGHS post within days. The suspension orders now state disciplinary proceedings are being considered, while the government has not detailed the allegations.

With inputs from PTI