New Delhi: A Delhi court Saturday rejected the bail pleas of former Central Procurement Agency (CPA) head Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga and former director general of health services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal in the alleged medical procurement scam, observing that their alleged acts had caused a “wrongful loss” of Rs 842 crore to the govt “exchequer”, “thereby affecting health of the general public”.Special judge Vidya Prakash agreed with the contentions raised by senior additional public prosecutor Kumar Sanjay, citing alleged manipulation of procurement processes, missing tender files, pressure on subordinate officials, withheld mobile phones and the risk of witnesses being influenced as reasons to deny bail.The court noted that Ranga had issued an office order on Nov 11, 2025, directing that tender-related files and bids remain in his custody. Several files concerning the questioned transactions subsequently went missing, depriving investigators of primary documentary evidence. The order observed that Ranga had allegedly fled his office when a Department of Vigilance team visited the CPA on June 18, 2026, ignored repeated calls and failed to make his mobile phone available to investigators. The court said his conduct pointed towards his alleged “complicity” in the offences.It also noted allegations that Ranga personally took bills to the Pay and Accounts Office after signing them in place of the “drawing and disbursing officer” (DDO). Officials who objected to irregularities in the questioned files were allegedly pressured, while one officer was taken to co-accused Rajiv Kumar’s residence on Ranga’s directions. The court observed that the apprehension of interference with the investigation was “not theoretical”.Against Aggarwal, the court cited her signatures and handwriting on procurement records, payment clearances, GeM and financial records, along with electronic evidence. These included approval for a payment of Rs 33.4 crore to M/s F-Med Devices and four original supplier files bearing her payment approval or clearance.The court also noted that both accused had allegedly withheld their mobile handsets on the pretext of having misplaced them, questioning how both phones had gone missing at the same time.Rejecting Aggarwal’s medical grounds, the judge said her condition could be managed through jail medical facilities and govt hospitals. The court also cited their former senior positions and familiarity with officials and records, finding a reasonable apprehension that they could influence witnesses, interfere with evidence or hamper the ongoing investigation if released on bail.
