After ex-DGHS arrest, Delhi transfers 74 doctors, sacks data assistant, suspends two aides

The alleged Rs 650 crore Delhi health scam has widened further, with the Delhi government stepping up administrative action against officials linked to the Health Department.

Days after former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Agarwal was arrested and sent to judicial custody, the department has dismissed Data Assistant Sumit Singh, suspended two junior assistants and ordered the transfer of 74 doctors in one of the biggest reshuffles linked to the ongoing probe.

The latest actions, ordered by DGHS Dr Sushma Jain, are part of an expanding investigation into the functioning of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA), which is at the centre of the alleged procurement scam involving medicines, surgical supplies and medical equipment.

Fresh crackdown widens probe

According to departmental sources, Singh, who had been associated with procurement and supply-related work for a considerable period, has been dismissed with immediate effect.

Investigators are examining his alleged links with private pharmaceutical suppliers and whether he played any role in the procurement process that is under scrutiny.

The dismissal order directs Singh to immediately surrender all official files, documents, laptop, identity card, and other government property in his possession.

The department has also suspended two junior assistants posted at the DGHS office, identified as Umesh Tyagi and Kapil.

Officials said the disciplinary action follows scrutiny of procurement-related records, file movements and departmental documents as investigators continue to trace the administrative chain involved in purchases made through the CPA.

Authorities have not disclosed further details about the allegations against the suspended employees, stating that the inquiry is still underway.

74 doctors transferred in major reshuffle

In another significant development, the Delhi government has transferred 74 doctors across multiple government hospitals in what officials describe as a major administrative overhaul linked to the ongoing investigation.

According to departmental orders issued late at night, doctors posted at several prominent healthcare institutions, including the Central Jail Hospital (CJH) in Tihar, have been reassigned to new postings.

Sources said many of the transferred doctors had remained at the same institutions for several years.

Hospitals affected by the reshuffle include Mahavir Hospital, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital, Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

Officials believe the transfers are aimed at dismantling long-standing administrative networks and strengthening oversight in departments linked to procurement activities.

Of the 74 doctors transferred, 29 were serving at the Central Jail Hospital alone. The latest reshuffle follows an earlier round in which 39 doctors and 35 pharmacists were transferred after receiving the necessary approvals.

With the fresh postings, the total number of personnel transferred in connection with the alleged scam has now reached 148.

Probe expands after earlier arrests

The latest administrative action comes after a series of developments in the alleged scam. Former DGHS Dr Agarwal and another official were arrested and sent to judicial custody, while five pharmacists and two officials attached to the CPA store had earlier been suspended as the investigation gathered momentum.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Vigilance Department and other investigating agencies are continuing to examine procurement records to determine whether irregularities were committed in the purchase of medicines, surgical items and medical equipment worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

Officials said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption in the Health Department and is restructuring administrative postings while simultaneously pursuing disciplinary proceedings against officials whose roles are under investigation.

Sources indicated that investigators are examining records, procurement files and departmental communications to establish accountability at different levels of the procurement chain.

More administrative action cannot be ruled out as agencies continue to review evidence and identify officials whose roles may require closer scrutiny.

The sweeping transfers, dismissals and suspensions are being viewed as the government's strongest administrative response yet to the alleged scam, signalling that the crackdown is likely to intensify as the investigation progresses.