‘Fled to US, deleted chats’: No bail for ‘mastermind’ behind Rs 840-cr medical procurement ‘scam’

A Delhi court denied bail to Rajiv Rangila, reportedly the alleged mastermind behind a Rs 842-crore medical procurement scam. The court stated that Rangila allegedly deleted communication, such as WhatsApp messages, which would have shown his tendency to destroy crucial evidence. Additionally, official witnesses testified that they were intimidated by Rangila or others, preventing them from performing their duties as instructed.

According to the Delhi government's Anti Corruption Branch, the scam involved manipulating tenders to benefit companies owned by Rangila, with the accused allegedly fixing supply rates and offering cash kickbacks. The court also noted that Rangila had fled to the United States following the scam and is accused of causing a financial loss of Rs 842 crore to the government.

He was arrested upon his return to India and was previously associated with two other FIRs at Delhi's Laxmi Nagar and Sadar police stations. The case involves the Central Public Works Department (CPW), which is responsible for procuring medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment for Delhi government hospitals. The prosecution claims that ten crucial procurement files could not be traced, and the chargesheet lists three public servants potentially involved: Dr. Ranga, Head of Office of the CPW; Dr. Vatsala Aggarwal, Director General of Health Services (DGHS); and former deputy controller of accounts at CPW, Neeraj Chopra.