The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a raid at the residence of former Delhi minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj as part of its probe into an alleged hospital construction scam. The case pertains to suspected irregularities in the allocation and use of funds sanctioned for the construction and upgradation of government hospitals in Delhi. According to officials, the raid was aimed at collecting evidence related to financial mismanagement and suspected money laundering linked to the project.
Sources from the ED confirmed that during the operation, the agency seized important documents, electronic devices, and other records believed to be connected with the case. Officials stated that the investigation is focusing on the flow of funds and whether they were diverted or misused. The raid forms part of a broader inquiry into suspected corruption in healthcare infrastructure projects, which have been under scrutiny for several months.
The Aam Aadmi Party reacted sharply to the development, calling it a politically motivated move orchestrated to tarnish the party’s image. AAP leaders argued that the ED has repeatedly targeted opposition figures through selective investigations while ignoring corruption cases linked to ruling party leaders at the national level. They maintained that Bharadwaj has a clean track record and accused the central government of misusing agencies to intimidate political opponents.
On the other hand, ED officials asserted that the raids were based on credible evidence gathered during earlier phases of the investigation. They emphasized that the agency is working strictly within legal frameworks and that the inquiry will determine accountability for any wrongdoing. According to the agency, the hospital construction scam involves significant sums of public money and needs thorough examination to ensure transparency and accountability in public health projects.
The alleged scam revolves around the construction and renovation of multiple hospitals across Delhi, with suspicions of inflated project costs, ghost contracts, and irregular payments to contractors. Reports suggest that funds meant to improve health facilities and patient care may have been siphoned off through fraudulent practices. Investigators are also looking into the role of officials and contractors linked to the projects, alongside political figures.
Political analysts noted that the raids come at a time when tensions between the central government and the Aam Aadmi Party are intensifying. With upcoming elections in Delhi and other states, the confrontation between the two sides is expected to deepen. The ED’s actions have already provided fresh ammunition to both the ruling and opposition camps, with each side accusing the other of undermining democratic institutions.
The case has drawn public attention given its connection to healthcare infrastructure, an area where citizens expect transparency and efficiency. The outcome of the investigation will likely have both legal and political implications, shaping public debates on governance and accountability in Delhi.
For now, the ED has said that further action will depend on the analysis of seized material and the outcome of ongoing inquiries. As the probe continues, the matter is set to remain a prominent political issue in the capital’s discourse.
