AAP in Trouble Again as ED Tightens Grip

Troubles are going to increase for the prominent leaders of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered cases and started investigation in connection with 3 alleged scams. It is alleged that these scams were carried out during the tenure of the AAP government, which include financial irregularities of more than Rs 6 thousand crore.

The central investigating agency has registered Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs), which are considered equivalent to FIRs. According to the report, the ED has registered a case in connection with alleged scams in the works of hospital construction, shelter homes and installation of CCTVs. A scam of about Rs 6368 crore has come to light in these allegations.

According to the report, AAP party leaders may soon be called for questioning. Former health ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain are also likely to be questioned soon. It is noteworthy that Satyendra Jain had to stay in jail for a long time in another money laundering case, but currently he is out on bail.

The role of former Health Minister Satyendra Jain and Saurabh Bhardwaj is being investigated in the alleged hospital scam of 5590 crores. According to the ED, in 2018-19, the Aam Aadmi Party government approved the project of 24 hospitals, in which the construction of ICU hospitals was to be completed within six months. However, despite spending Rs 800 crore, only 50 percent of the work could be completed. The investigating agency also found that the construction cost of Delhi Government's Lok Nayak Hospital increased from Rs 488 crore to Rs 1135 crore. The ED alleges that the construction of many hospitals was started without proper approval.

Questions are being raised on the role of former Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain in this case. The Delhi government had approved 24 hospital projects in 2018-19, of which the ICU hospital was to be completed in six months, but even after three years the work is incomplete. ₹800 crore was spent on this project, while only 50% of the work was completed. The cost of LNJP hospital has increased from 488 crores to 1,135 crores. Construction work has been done without permission at many places, in which the role of contractors is considered suspicious. Apart from this, the HIMS system is pending since 2016, in which allegations of deliberate delay have been made.

CCTV scam (₹571 crore)

In 2019, a project to install 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras in 70 assembly constituencies of Delhi started, for which BEL was given the contract. However, this work was not completed on time, resulting in a fine of Rs 17 crore being imposed on BEL, but it was later waived without any clear reason. In this case, it is alleged that a bribe of Rs 7 crore was given to Satyendra Jain through contractors.

₹250 crore shelter home scam

In this case, it is alleged that salaries and money were given to politicians in the name of ghost workers as commission. CBI and ACB are investigating these cases, and on the basis of their FIR, ED has registered cases of money laundering. Aam Aadmi Party leaders are likely to be questioned and raided soon.