Former CPA Head Held Over Alleged Irregularities in Procurement of Medicines, Medical Equipment and Consumables
A former head of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with an alleged large-scale corruption case involving the procurement of medicines, medical equipment, surgical consumables, and healthcare supplies.
According to officials, the arrest follows an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in procurement processes carried out by the CPA, which is responsible for purchasing medicines, surgical items, consumables, and medical equipment for government healthcare institutions.
Criminal Conspiracy Alleged in Procurement Process
As per an ACB statement, the investigation was initiated following a complaint from the Directorate of Vigilance. The complaint alleged that certain public servants and private individuals entered into a criminal conspiracy to manipulate procurement procedures, tender conditions, and technical specifications to provide undue advantages to selected firms and suppliers.
The alleged manipulation reportedly resulted in substantial financial losses to the government exchequer while generating wrongful gains for private entities involved in the procurement process.
Inflated Prices and Tailor-Made Tender Specifications Under Scanner
Investigators found alleged irregularities in the procurement of several medical and healthcare items, including portable X-ray machines, C-Arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, oral rehydration solution (ORS), surgical consumables, medicines, bed sheets, and linen products.
Authorities suspect that these items were purchased at highly inflated rates. The probe further revealed allegations that tailor-made technical specifications were created to benefit specific suppliers while excluding genuine competitors from participating in the bidding process.
Officials believe that government funds worth several hundred crores of rupees may have been misutilized through these procurement practices.
FIR Registered Under Prevention of Corruption Act
Based on the vigilance complaint, the ACB registered an FIR on June 2 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to criminal conspiracy.
During the investigation, officials examined procurement records, tender documents, official correspondence, and other evidence linked to the purchases under scrutiny.
Missing Procurement Files Raise Further Suspicion
The investigation also revealed that several key procurement files related to the questioned purchases were allegedly not made available to investigators. Authorities claim that the former CPA chief had retained these important records in his personal custody.
According to the ACB, the accused was questioned during the investigation but failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the missing files and other significant aspects of the case.
Court Grants Four-Day Police Custody
The ACB stated that custodial interrogation was necessary to recover the missing procurement files, identify other beneficiaries and co-conspirators, establish the money trail, and recover documentary and electronic evidence linked to the alleged corruption network.
The accused was arrested on Thursday and produced before a court on Friday. The court subsequently granted four days of police custody to facilitate further investigation.
Probe Expands to Other Officials and Suppliers
Officials confirmed that the role of other public servants, private individuals, suppliers, contractors, and beneficiaries allegedly involved in the procurement conspiracy is also being examined.
The Anti-Corruption Branch said further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption and identify all individuals responsible.
