New Delhi| HL 25 June, 2026
The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigation into alleged irregularities in procurement by Delhi Government’s Central Procurement Agency (CPA) has sent shockwaves through the Health Department, with senior officials, doctors and vendors closely monitoring the unfolding probe.
According to sources, the investigation is examining procurement worth hundreds of crores involving medicines, medical equipment and essential hospital supplies. The ED is also expected to scrutinise the decision-making process behind major tenders, payment approvals and the role of officials involved at different stages.
The probe is understood to cover purchases of portable X-ray machines, C-arm systems, anaesthesia workstations, surgical consumables, linen and other critical healthcare supplies procured through the CPA for government hospitals.
Officials familiar with the matter said the investigation is unlikely to remain confined to procurement records alone. The agency is reportedly examining whether established financial procedures were followed while awarding contracts and processing payments.
Several vendors associated with the procurement process have alleged that the centralisation of purchases under the CPA replaced the earlier system in which hospitals procured supplies independently based on their requirements. They claim the shift to large centralised tenders reduced competition and raised questions over pricing and transparency. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The controversy has also revived allegations of internal disagreements over the approval of certain high-value tenders. According to claims cited by vendors, some senior officials had favoured referring disputed contracts for additional financial scrutiny, while others allegedly pushed for faster clearance. The report also alleges that administrative decisions, including transfers and suspensions, followed these disputes. No official findings have confirmed these claims.
Questions have also been raised regarding appointments to key positions in the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Critics have alleged that certain appointments were made despite pending issues surrounding previous administrative decisions. There has been no official confirmation supporting these allegations.
Neither the Enforcement Directorate nor the Delhi Government has released detailed findings from the investigation. Officials named in connection with the allegations have either denied wrongdoing in the past or were unavailable for comment when the report was prepared.
With the ED now examining procurement records, tender approvals and financial transactions, the investigation is expected to determine whether public money was spent in accordance with established rules or whether criminal misconduct occurred. The findings could have significant administrative and legal consequences if irregularities are established.
