The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started investigating allegations of supply of substandard medicines in Delhi government hospitals. CBI officials told News18 that the investigation began after receiving two separate references from the Union Home Ministry.

“Two references were received. One to investigate allegations of supply of substandard medicines in government hospitals and the other to see whether mohalla clinics were also misused to benefit private laboratories. We are looking into both,” said a CBI officer.

The central agency’s preliminary investigation is based on details shared by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and a report by the Vigilance Directorate of the Delhi government.

After its investigation, the Vigilance Department had asked the Union Home Ministry to recommend a CBI investigation into the case.

LG Vinay Kumar Saxena, in his complaint sent to the ministry in December last year, had said that at least five medicines in three Delhi government-run hospitals did not meet the required standards.

Saxena also alleged that the AAP government is playing with the lives of Delhiites. “The medicines failed quality standard tests and had the potential to endanger life in Delhi government-run hospitals,” the LG said after submitting the vigilance report.

Allegations have been made that patients at seven mohalla clinics run by the AAP government were recommended fake lab tests or their phone and identity details were fraudulently used to benefit private diagnostic firms that conducted fake tests on paper. .

CBI is investigating the allegation that this scam was worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Agency officials said a decision on filing an FIR would be taken after the preliminary investigation is completed.