Nine cases lodged over irregularities in AIIMS: CBI to HC

CBI today told the Delhi High Court that it has registered nine cases related to several alleged irregularities in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in last seven years.
The agency also informed a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that a matter related to allegations of irregularities and embezzlement of funds in purchase of surgical equipment has been closed in July this year after no "wrongdoing" was found.
It, however, said the remaining eight cases are pending as the files have been sent for consideration before various authorities, including the Health Ministry.

The cases relate to irregularities in the tender process at AIIMS, entrance tests and a disproportionate assets case against some of its senior officials.
The bench listed the matter for further hearing on February 14 next year.
The agency has filed its report in pursuance to the court September 29 direction on the plea which has sought probe in several alleged graft cases relating to AIIMS.

Former Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of AIIMS Sanjeev Chaturvedi had earlier accused the Health Ministry of not doing anything in several graft cases relating to the premier institution by allegedly sitting over the charge sheets and CBI reports against the individuals involved.

Chaturvedi had made the accusation in an affidavit filed before the high court in a PIL by an NGO, seeking recusal of Union Health Minister from acting as a disciplinary authority, alleging that he had "unfettered powers to influence the course of proceedings in all the corruption cases".
Health Minister J P Nadda had earlier told the court that
the PIL was "actuated by ulterior motive" to gain political mileage and "malign" the government's image.
In his reply, he had refuted allegations that Chaturvedi was removed from the post as he was conducting a probe in several graft cases related to malpractices in the AIIMS.

However, Chaturvedi has claimed in his affidavit that the Health Ministry has not replied since February 2 on Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) letter seeking the ministry CVO's comments on whether they have taken any action on CBI's case registered against some individuals.
Chaturvedi had claimed in his first affidavit that previous Health Minister Harsh Vardhan as well as CBI had recommended major penalty proceedings against some AIIMS officials in connection with alleged irregularities in the construction of porta cabins at the Jhajjar campus of the institute but no action had been taken.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in its reply, had also termed as "incorrect" that after Chaturvedi's removal as CVO, no vigilance office is functioning at AIIMS as a Joint Secretary-rank official has been assigned charge of the post.

AIIMS, on its part, had said the PIL has been filed in "personal interest" with a view to damage the reputation of the institute.