ACB raids Delhi secretariat, offices over Mishra allegations

Several offices of the Delhi government, including the Delhi Secretariat, were raided today by teams of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in relation to the scam in the procurement of medicines and ambulances alleged by sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Kapil Mishra.

Mishra had recently alleged corruption in the health department and also had lodged a formal complaint with the ACB.

The search operations were carried out at offices under the Delhi health department, according to officials in the ACB, and were aimed at gathering documents and files pertaining to medical procurements.

Mishra, meanwhile, today asserted that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal threatens or attacks those who try to expose him.

''Rahul Sharma exposed the case of the Bansal family. Yesterday, he was being attacked. An FIR has been registered. I think whoever is trying to expose Arvind Kejriwal's corruption, that person is being threatened or attacked,'' Mishra told ANI. He also claimed to have information showing that Kejriwal has connection with enemies of the country like Naxals and requested security agencies to look into the matter.

On today's searches, ACB sources told The Hindu, "These are initial searches and the aim was only to gather paperwork (related to the procurement of medicines and ambulances) which can be examined before further action if required," adding that the ACB was required to examine the documents before officially launching an investigation.

The anti-graft body is currently also investigating alleged scams in the Delhi Jal Board and the Public Works Department.

Last week, Mishra had accused chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and health minister Satyendar Jain of misappropriating health funds.

He had also claimed that three health scams, including one involving Rs300 crore in relation to procurement of medicines, had taken place during the AAP government's regime.

The Kejriwal government, he claimed, improperly procured medicines, overpaid for ambulances and violated rules in transfers and appointments.