The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched searches on Tuesday at multiple locations linked to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj as part of a money laundering investigation. Approximately 13 premises across Delhi-NCR, including Bharadwaj’s residence, were targeted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), official sources confirmed.

The probe centers on alleged irregularities in health infrastructure projects during AAP’s tenure, specifically a Rs 5,590 crore hospital construction scam flagged by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB). The ACB case, initiated after a complaint by then Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, accuses Bharadwaj and former Health Minister Satyendar Jain of corruption involving 24 hospital projects sanctioned in 2018–19. These projects faced significant delays and cost overruns, raising suspicions of financial embezzlement.

AAP has dismissed the raids as a “diversionary tactic,” claiming the case against Bharadwaj is baseless and pertains to a period when he was not a minister. The party’s response echoes similar defenses in past ED actions against leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Amanatullah Khan. The ED is yet to disclose details of assets seized or specific evidence uncovered. The investigation continues, with simultaneous raids targeting private contractors involved in the projects.

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