AAP Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj’s House Raided By ED In Alleged Hospital Scam Probe

ED Conducts Raid At AAP Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj’s Residence Over ‘Hospital Construction Scam’

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday carried out raids at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in connection with the alleged “hospital construction scam.” The searches, which began early in the morning, are part of an ongoing money laundering probe linked to irregularities in the construction and upgradation of hospitals across the national capital.

According to ED officials, the raid was based on inputs suggesting possible financial mismanagement and diversion of funds in government projects sanctioned for public health infrastructure. The agency is investigating whether certain contracts were awarded to favored companies at inflated rates, leading to massive losses to the exchequer.

The case, often referred to as the “hospital construction scam,” first came into light after complaints surfaced regarding stalled projects, inflated bills, and poor-quality work in several hospitals under construction in Delhi. The ED’s action is aimed at tracing the money trail and verifying whether senior officials or political leaders played a role in facilitating these irregularities.

Saurabh Bharadwaj, a key figure in AAP and a sitting cabinet minister, is known for his outspoken stance against the central government. His residence being raided has added a strong political dimension to the issue. While ED officers have maintained that the raid is purely investigative, AAP leaders have condemned the move, calling it an act of “political vendetta.”

In a sharp reaction, the Aam Aadmi Party issued a statement claiming that the central agencies are being “misused” to target opposition leaders. “The BJP is afraid of AAP’s growing popularity and therefore resorts to such tactics. Saurabh Bharadwaj has always stood for transparency and honesty. This raid is nothing but an attempt to malign his image,” the statement read.

Political analysts suggest that the timing of the raid is crucial, especially as Delhi is gearing up for upcoming civic and assembly-level political campaigns. They argue that any action against AAP’s senior leadership is bound to trigger heated exchanges between the state government and the Centre, further polarizing public opinion.

Meanwhile, the ED has stated that searches are also being conducted at multiple other locations linked to contractors and firms associated with the hospital projects. “The investigation is focused on identifying financial irregularities, diversion of funds, and possible money laundering routes,” an official familiar with the matter said.

Opposition parties, while criticizing the ED’s actions, have also demanded that the matter be investigated fairly and without bias. Some health activists, however, argue that if corruption in hospital construction is proven, it is the people of Delhi who stand to lose the most. “Hospitals are meant to serve citizens. Any scam in their construction means delays, fewer beds, and compromised facilities,” said a public health expert.

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For now, all eyes are on the ED’s findings. If evidence of corruption emerges, it could have major legal and political repercussions for Saurabh Bharadwaj and the AAP leadership. On the other hand, if the investigation fails to establish wrongdoing, it may strengthen AAP’s narrative of being unfairly targeted by central agencies.

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