Rishikesh: CBI files case against eight including AIIMS professor, alleges rigging in purchase of equipment

The CBI has registered a case against seven nominees including one unknown in connection with the irregularity in the purchase of equipment, causing loss of more than six crores to AIIMS Rishikesh. An AIIMS professor is also included in the accused. On Wednesday, the CBI also raided the hideouts of the accused. In Rishikesh, raids were also conducted at the house of another accused including AIIMS professor.

CBI and ACB teams had reached AIIMS Rishikesh on March 31. Here he investigated the equipment purchase episode with AIIMS officials. Investigation revealed that there was a conspiracy in the purchase of equipment. Convenor of the Equipment Purchase Committee, Dr. Balramji Umar, misused his official position as a public servant to benefit the procurement agency. AIIMS Rishikesh suffered a loss of 6.57 crores in this purchase.

In the year 2019-20, a large number of equipments were bought and sold in AIIMS. It was alleged that the equipment was procured from a firm which was not even involved in the bidding process. Seven tools were purchased from the firm at the rate of Rs.55,38312 per tool. Later five more equipment were purchased at the same cost. While a few years ago, AIIMS had bought the same equipment at the rate of 19,92,480. In this way AIIMS was caused a loss of more than 6 crores in this entire purchase.

1. Dr. Balram G. Umar, Additional Professor, Department of Microbiology,

2. Arogya International, Kumar House Central Market, Prashant Vihar New Delhi.

3. Vishwaveer Verma, Pitampura, New Delhi.

4. Suman Verma, Pitampura, New Delhi.

5. Riya Agencies, Transport Nagar, Jodhpur.

6. Nikhil Kumar, MP Kothi, Mahadev Road New Delhi.

7. Aditya Kumar, Jagsara, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh.

Nikhil, son of Narayan Prasad, former tourism minister of the Bihar government, is also an accused in the purchase case. Kotwali Rishikesh also has a case registered against Nikhil in the past.