The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at the residence of former Delhi Health Minister and AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj in Chirag Delhi. The raid is part of a money laundering case linked to irregularities in hospital construction in Delhi. The ED is conducting search operations under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
According to ED officials, Bharadwaj’s residence and 12 other locations connected to the hospital construction scam are being raided by the agency. ED is investigating financial transactions and suspected diversion of funds allocated for the construction of the Delhi hospital, officials told ANI.
“The case stems from allegations that contracts were manipulated and funds misused, causing delays and cost escalations in crucial health infrastructure construction, they added as reported by the news agency.
The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj in a money laundering case linked to irregularities in hospital construction: Officials
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025
ED is raiding AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj's residence and 12 other locations in hospital construction scam: Officials https://t.co/wnizjqgMQF
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025
A three-time MLA from Greater Kailash, Bharadwaj served as Delhi’s Health, Urban Development and Water Minister under Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi government during 2023-2025. He lost the 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election from Greater Kailash to BJP’s Shikha Roy.
Sanjay Singh Reacts
AAP MP Sanjay Singh reacted on ED raids against Bharadwaj, calling the case as “false and baseless.” Singh alleged that the action has been taken to harass and jail all AAP leaders.
“The case registered against Saurabh Bharadwaj is false and baseless. He was not even the minister in the time frame in which the ED had registered the case. It is a policy of the Modi government to file false cases against AAP leaders and jail them. This is being done to harass and jail all AAP leaders one by one… The raids are conducted to divert attention from PM Modi’s fake degree. To prevent PM Modi’s fake degree from being discussed, the ED has conducted raids,” said Singh.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | On ED raids against AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "… The case registered against Saurabh Bharadwaj is false and baseless. He was not even the minister in the time frame in which the ED had registered the case… It is a… pic.twitter.com/0agUFQBfUg
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025
Why Is ED Conducting Searches At Bharadwaj’s Residence?
The “alleged” scam came to light after a complaint filed by BJP leader and then Leader of Opposition Vijendra Gupta, stating corruption in 24 hospital projects. Gupta stated that during 2018-19, 24 hospital projects worth Rs 5,590 crore were approved. In these projects, 11 new hospitals and 13 hospitals were to be upgraded. He alleged corruption in the sanction and execution of these projects.
The project faced delays, cost overruns, and suspected embezzlement. It is also alleged that none of the sanctioned hospitals were completed on time, while several hundred crores in escalated costs remain unexplained.
An ICU hospital with a capacity of 6800 beds was to be built at a cost of Rs 1125 crore, but even after spending a lot, the construction of the hospital was only half done.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against Bhardwaj and former Health Minister Satyendar Jain. The case had been filed after receiving approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
