Delhi: Man held for bogus deliveries to AIIMS

The case relates to a complaint of embezzlement filed by the medical superintendent of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Eye Centre of AIIMS early in September, alleging that government funds to the tune of ₹5 crore was spent on purchase of linen items which were never delivered

Nearly two months after the Delhi Police began its probe into a case of fictitious deliveries of medical items at the ophthalmology department of AIIMS Delhi, the force’s economic offences wing (EOW) on Saturday arrested a 59-year-old trader for allegedly duping the institute of at least ₹13 crore.

Questioning of the trader, Sneh Rani Gupta, revealed that he secured forged supply orders in connivance with some AIIMS officials. (HT)

The case relates to a complaint of embezzlement filed by the medical superintendent of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Eye Centre of AIIMS early in September, alleging that government funds to the tune of ₹5 crore was spent on purchase of linen items which were never delivered. A subsequent audit raised the scale of embezzlement to ₹13.85 crore.

“These items were purchased on the basis of forged supply orders. No actual supply of items took place, and payment was released to the supplier firm,” said additional commissioner of police (EOW) RK Singh.

The officer said the police had then registered a case against the firm. Police said that two officials from the general store of the eye department have already been suspended.

“The account statement of the firm confirmed receipt of payments for the items... But scrutiny of the e-way bills (electronic way bill, necessary for movement of goods)revealed that vehicles used for delivery never delivered the same at AIIMS Delhi on any of the dates mentioned. The GPS logs too showed their locations out of Delhi,” said additional commissioner Singh.

Singh said questioning of the trader, Sneh Rani Gupta, revealed that he secured forged supply orders in connivance with some AIIMS officials.