The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested pharmaceutical distributor Rajiv Rangila in connection with an alleged ₹750-crore medical procurement scam involving government hospitals. A city court has remanded him to four days of ACB custody for further investigation.
Rangila, 47, was arrested after returning to India from the United States on Thursday. He had been declared a proclaimed offender, and a lookout circular had been issued against him following the registration of an FIR on June 2.
According to officials, Rangila allegedly played a key role in the procurement irregularities and was a major beneficiary of the suspected proceeds of the scam. Investigators are examining the financial transactions and the alleged involvement of government officials.
The ACB has alleged that Rangila established four companies in the names of people known to him, including his employees. These firms were reportedly awarded contracts to supply medicines, medical equipment and other hospital consumables, allegedly in violation of procurement norms.
The investigation has also focused on alleged links between suppliers and officials of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
Three other accused have already been arrested in the case. They include former DGHS director-general Vatsala Agarwal, former CPA office head Vinod Kumar Ranga, and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra.
The alleged irregularities relate to the procurement of portable X-ray and C-Arm equipment, anaesthesia workstations, medicines, oral rehydration solutions and surgical consumables.
The case was registered after the Delhi government’s Directorate of Vigilance conducted searches at the CPA office and filed a complaint regarding alleged violations in the procurement process.
