New Delhi, Aug 18: A Delhi court on Tuesday granted four weeks’ interim bail to former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, an accused in a case involving alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment worth around ₹700 crore.Special Judge Vidya Prakash of the Rouse Avenue Court directed her release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh along with two sureties of the same amount.
Aggarwal was arrested by the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with the case and had remained in custody for around 40 days, according to submissions made before the court.Appearing for Aggarwal, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta cited her health concerns and argued that she had been wrongly implicated in the case.
He also submitted that no incriminating material had allegedly been recovered from her residence.The prosecution’s allegations are connected with alleged financial irregularities in the purchase of medicines, surgical supplies and medical equipment by the Directorate General of Health Services and the Delhi government’s Central Procurement Agency.
Meanwhile, the court declined to grant interim bail to another accused, Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga.Ranga’s counsel, Vijay Bishnoi, submitted that his client had spent about 54 days in custody and argued that he should be released temporarily if the investigating agency required additional time to complete its probe.The court, however, rejected the request for interim bail.
The ACB registered an FIR on June 2 following a complaint by the Vigilance Directorate. The FIR alleges financial misappropriation of approximately ₹700 crore in connection with procurement undertaken by the Delhi government’s health authorities.The investigation into the alleged irregularities is continuing. The allegations against the accused are yet to be established before a court.
