Saurabh Bhardwaj ED Raid: What Happened and Why
On the morning of August 26, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at the residence of Saurabh Bhardwaj, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Delhi minister. The operation took place across 13 locations in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The action is reportedly connected to an alleged hospital construction scam under investigation for potential money laundering.
Background of the Hospital Scam
The alleged scam dates back to 2018–19 when the Delhi government approved funding for 24 hospital construction projects totaling over ₹5,500 crore. Investigations revealed significant financial irregularities in several projects:
The cost of certain hospitals, such as LNJP Hospital, escalated drastically without substantial progress.
Multiple project approvals were granted without proper procedures, raising questions about the role of contractors.
The ED's involvement suggests the possibility of money laundering linked to these irregularities.
Saurabh Bhardwaj's Role
Saurabh Bhardwaj held key portfolios in the Delhi government, including health, urban development, and water resources. He has previously been under scrutiny by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for alleged irregularities.
The current ED action is focused on financial transactions that may have violated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The raid is aimed at gathering evidence related to these transactions and identifying assets involved in the alleged misconduct.
Details of the ED Action
ED conducted simultaneous searches at 13 different locations linked to Bhardwaj.
The operation involved collecting documents, electronic records, and any material related to the hospital projects.
Officials have not yet disclosed specific details of the seized assets or the findings of the raid.
The raid is part of a broader effort to investigate financial irregularities in government projects and ensure accountability of public officials.
Implications
This raid highlights ongoing scrutiny over large-scale infrastructure projects in Delhi and the role of public officials in managing funds responsibly. It also reflects the government's effort to monitor potential financial misconduct through the PMLA.
For Saurabh Bhardwaj, the investigation could have significant political and legal consequences depending on the findings of the ED probe.
The Enforcement Directorate's raid on Saurabh Bhardwaj is a high-profile development in the ongoing investigation of the hospital construction scam. While the raid is primarily focused on financial irregularities and potential money laundering, the full implications will emerge as the investigation progresses. This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in government-funded projects.
This is a massive political turn. The governance and healthcare spending are the most critical issues because with the allegations of the scam circulating, public confidence in governance and spending of healthcare money would be adversely affected.