Medical Scam: Delhi HC Grants Bail to Former DGHS and Official
Delhi High Court grants bail to former DGHS Vatsala Aggarwal and Vinod Kumar Ranga in a massive Rs 842-crore medical procurement scam.
The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga. The duo was embroiled in a high-profile corruption case involving the alleged procurement of medical goods at inflated prices, amounting to a staggering Rs 842 crore.
Court's Decision on Bail
Justice Sachin Datta, while presiding over the matter, observed that the continued custody of the two accused was no longer necessary. After evaluating the totality of the circumstances, the court expressed its inclination to grant relief to the applicants.
The High Court has ordered their release upon the submission of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each, along with one surety of an equivalent amount, to be submitted to the satisfaction of the Duty Magistrate or the trial court.
Strict Conditions for Release
While granting bail, the court imposed several stringent conditions to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal process:
- Travel Restrictions: The applicants are prohibited from leaving the National Capital Region (NCR) or traveling abroad without obtaining prior permission from the trial court.
- Passport Surrender: They must surrender their passports to the trial court if they have not already done so.
- Address Verification: The accused must provide their permanent addresses and the locations where they will reside during the trial. Any change in address must be reported to the Investigating Officer (IO) via an affidavit filed in court.
- Access Ban: The court has specifically restrained both Dr Aggarwal and Dr Ranga from entering the premises of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) or the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) without court permission.
The Backdrop: A Massive Procurement Fraud
The case stems from an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), which alleges a massive scam where medical supplies were purchased at exorbitant prices. Dr Vatsala Aggarwal served as the DGHS, while Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga was the head of the Central Procurement Agency during the period the alleged irregularities occurred.
Earlier Rejection by Rouse Avenue Court
This relief comes after a setback on October 17, when the Rouse Avenue Court rejected their bail pleas. The trial court had previously emphasized the gravity of the offences and the complexity of the modus operandi used in the scam.
The lower court had expressed concerns that the accused might influence the probe, stating that their custody was essential for a fair and unhindered investigation. It further noted that the investigation was still unfolding, involving other entities and an accused named Rajiv Kumar (alias Rajiv Rangeela), and that a supplementary chargesheet was still awaited.
The trial court had maintained that the mere filing of a chargesheet did not guarantee bail, especially given the potential for interference with the administration of justice in a case of this scale.