August 26,2025:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged hospital construction scam. Officials stated that the raids were part of an ongoing probe into irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the construction of a government hospital in the national capital.
According to sources, the central agency initiated the search operations early in the morning and seized several documents related to the project. The alleged scam pertains to irregularities in tendering, payments to contractors, and possible diversion of funds intended for the hospital’s development. The ED is examining whether proceeds of crime were generated through these activities and laundered via shell companies and associated entities.
Mr. Bharadwaj, who currently holds the Health portfolio in the Delhi government, was present at his residence when the raids began. Officials remained tight-lipped on the findings, though they confirmed that electronic devices and financial records were being scrutinised. “Searches are underway, and evidence collected will be analysed for further action,” an official said on condition of anonymity.
The alleged scam came to light following complaints of irregularities in the allocation of funds and delays in construction work of the hospital project, which was sanctioned several years ago. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier registered a preliminary inquiry into the matter, after which the Enforcement Directorate initiated a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Aam Aadmi Party, meanwhile, condemned the raids, describing them as politically motivated. In a statement, party leaders alleged that the action was an attempt to malign its ministers and disrupt governance in Delhi. “These raids are part of a larger plan to target opposition voices. We have full faith in our leaders, and the truth will prevail,” the party said.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, a senior leader of AAP and MLA from Greater Kailash, has been an active voice in Delhi politics and has held important responsibilities in the state cabinet. His role in the health sector has been highlighted during the party’s administration, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing investigation, however, has cast a shadow over the party’s claims of transparency in governance.
This is not the first instance of the ED conducting searches at the premises of AAP leaders. In recent years, several senior leaders of the party have come under the scanner of central agencies in cases ranging from excise policy to alleged corruption in public projects. The frequency of these actions has often led to sharp exchanges between the Centre and the Delhi government.
Legal experts noted that if the ED establishes evidence of money laundering, the case could result in prosecution under stringent provisions of the PMLA, which carries the possibility of attachment of properties and custodial interrogation. The case is expected to move forward in coordination with other investigating agencies, including the CBI and Income Tax Department.
At the time of filing this report, the raids at Bharadwaj’s residence were still continuing, and officials indicated that further action would depend on the nature of evidence recovered. The matter is likely to take a significant political turn in the coming days, as the Delhi government faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of public projects.
