The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Tuesday arrested former Delhi minister Satyendar Kumar Jain, former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash Rai and four others in connection with an alleged corruption and irregularities case involving the tendering of sewage treatment plant (STP) projects.
Those arrested include Ankit Srivastava, a former contractual consultant with the DJB; Nagendra Yadav, proprietor of AN Enterprises; Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd; and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of Srijanhar.
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The case was registered on May 11, 2024, following a complaint from the Delhi government’s Directorate of Vigilance alleging widespread irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and a criminal conspiracy in the process for augmenting and upgrading STPs under the DJB.
ACB alleges tender was tailored to favour firm
According to Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Vikramjit Singh, the investigation found that the tender allegedly contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions that favoured Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd, potentially limiting competition and giving the company an undue advantage.
The agency alleged that a proposed pilot study was never conducted, while restrictive requirements concerning the technology and media to be used were incorporated into the tender. It also claimed that key parameters related to treated effluent were left out.
The ACB further alleged that changes to the technical specifications had significant financial consequences for the government exchequer.
Investigators also examined electronic communications allegedly exchanged between private individuals and public servants or intermediaries. These communications reportedly involved tender conditions, corrigendums and other documents that were later reflected in the DJB’s tender notice for the STP project.
The agency said the evidence pointed towards an alleged nexus between private parties and public officials to influence the tender specifications in favour of Euroteck.
₹1.52 crore money trail under scanner
The financial investigation allegedly uncovered the movement of funds through intermediary entities, including Srijanhar and AN Enterprises, which the ACB suspects were used to route commission or bribe payments.
According to the agency, entities linked to Euroteck transferred substantial sums to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav. The investigation then allegedly traced subsequent transactions involving former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai and his relatives.
The ACB claimed that ₹1.52 crore was transferred through banking channels from AN Enterprises, owned by Yadav, into bank accounts belonging to Rai and his relatives.
The agency alleged that the money was subsequently used for purchasing immovable property. Investigators are continuing to examine the complete financial trail and alleged proceeds of crime.
The ACB also said it had recovered communications involving Raja Kumar Kurra, Nagendra Yadav and Ankit Srivastava, relating to meetings, tender specifications, corrigendums and other aspects of the STP project.
The six accused were arrested after questioning, and further investigation into the alleged corruption network is underway.
AAP calls arrest political vendetta
The arrests triggered a sharp political response from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to target its leaders.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Jain had been arrested at the BJP’s behest and claimed that the latest case would ultimately be proved false.
Kejriwal also referred to Jain’s earlier legal troubles, questioning who would compensate him for the time he allegedly spent in jail and the mental distress he faced. He accused the BJP of resorting to “dictatorship” and falsely implicating political opponents.
Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi similarly described the arrest as another instance of alleged political vendetta. She claimed Jain had previously been targeted in a false case and alleged that the same pattern was being repeated.
Atishi said the BJP could use governmental power to intimidate people but could not suppress the truth indefinitely, adding that the AAP would stand by Jain.
Sisodia questions timing of arrest
AAP leader Manish Sisodia questioned the timing of Jain’s arrest, alleging that it came ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, when Jain was serving as the party’s co-incharge for the poll campaign.
Sisodia claimed Jain had already spent around two-and-a-half years in jail in what he described as a “fake case” and alleged that another case had now been brought against him.
He also accused the BJP of turning to central investigative agencies amid political pressure over several issues, including the Gen Z movement, alleged irregularities involving Ram temple donations and the E20 fuel controversy.
AAP national spokesperson Anurag Dhanda also questioned the chronology of the case. He pointed out that the tender at the centre of the investigation was issued in October 2022, while Jain had already been in jail since May that year in connection with an earlier case.
Dhanda termed the latest action a politically motivated conspiracy and alleged that the BJP was targeting Jain because of his role in the Punjab election campaign.
The ACB, meanwhile, is continuing its probe into the alleged manipulation of the DJB tender, the suspected financial transactions and the role of the six arrested accused.
(Inputs from The Indian Express)
Edited by: Moonmoon Borah
