New Delhi: Submitting that Rajiv Rangila, the alleged mastermind of the Rs 842-crore health procurement ‘scam’, used his domestic helps as directors of shell companies, was linked to the suicide of one such director and continued to obstruct the investigation by withholding crucial documents, the prosecution Tuesday opposed his bail plea before a Delhi court.
Before special judge Vidya Prakash, senior additional public prosecutor Kumar Sanjay described Rangila as the “kingpin who manipulated public procurement processes in connivance with govt officials and siphoned off hundreds of crores”. During the investigation, the deceased’s son told police Rangila had “fraudulently obtained his Aadhaar and other credentials and made him a director in a shell company that participated in linen supply bids”. The prosecution cited the suicide of one such director, in connection with which Rangila has been named in an FIR and charged with abetment of suicide. The man allegedly died by suicide when police arrived at his residence to conduct a raid.
He faced proceedings under BNSS Section 84 before surrendering on Sept 24.
Opposing bail, Sanjay said Rangila initially absconded after the raid and arrest of the co-accused, during which period he was also named in an FIR involving allegations of extortion. The prosecutor argued Rangila remained a “potential threat” to the investigation and had been “non-cooperative” in furnishing proxy and backup copies of crucial documents allegedly withheld by him. Describing him as the “perpetrator of the crime and driver of the scam”, the prosecution argued he could still influence the investigation, rejecting the defence’s contention that the probe was complete and all documentary evidence was already with ACB.