News Brief
ED Raids Former Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj In Hospital Projects Money Laundering Probe
Delhi Health Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday (26 August) carried out searches across 13 locations in Delhi and adjoining areas, including the residence of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former minister Saurabh Bhardwaj.
The raids form part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged financial irregularities in hospital construction projects sanctioned during the AAP government’s tenure, according to a India Today report.
Officials confirmed the operations but have not yet revealed details of any seizures or specific findings. Bhardwaj, a three-time MLA from Greater Kailash, has held key portfolios such as Health, Urban Development and Water, and previously chaired the Delhi Jal Board.
The case stems from a complaint filed in August 2024 by then Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, who alleged corruption in the sanction and execution of 24 projects worth Rs 5,590 crore between 2018 and 2019.
These included 11 new hospitals and upgrades to 13 existing ones. According to investigators, the projects were marked by delays, ballooning costs and suspected misappropriation of funds, with not a single facility completed on schedule.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau later registered a case against Bhardwaj and former Health Minister Satyendar Jain under the Prevention of Corruption Act, citing budget manipulation, collusion with contractors and diversion of public funds.
AAP leaders have dismissed the raids as politically motivated. Former Delhi chief minister Atishi Marlena, who was appointed to run the government, when Arvind Kejriwal was in jail, said, “Why was Saurabh ji raided today? Because questions are being raised about Prime Minister Modi's degree, whether it is fake. To divert attention from that debate, this raid was carried out.”
Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also alleged the timing was deliberate, saying, “Yesterday the entire country questioned Modi ji’s degree. When the truth of the degree came out, a raid was carried out on Saurabh Bhardwaj to distract attention.”
