The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi has arrested senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Water Minister Satyendar Jain alongside five others in connection with alleged corruption and tender manipulation involving Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects under the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
The arrest comes after an inquiry initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance into alleged irregularities, criminal conspiracy, and bribery in the tendering process to upgrade STPs.
Key Findings & Arrests:
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Specific Allegations: Investigators claim tender conditions were rigged to favor specific technology providers, such as Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd, while bypassing mandated pilot studies. Subcontractors and intermediaries were allegedly used to channel illicit funds.
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Financial Trail: Probe agencies assert that former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai received bribes amounting to Rs 1.52 crore routed through banking channels into accounts belonging to him and relatives to acquire real estate.
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Six Accused In Custody: Beyond Jain, those arrested include former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai, former consultant Ankit Srivastava, M/s AN Enterprises proprietor Nagendra Yadav, Euroteck Environment owner Raja Kumar Kurra, and M/s Srijanhar proprietor Pankaj Verma.
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Political Fallout: AAP leaders defended Jain, claiming political targeting aimed at disrupting his role as co-in-charge for upcoming state activities, noting he was incarcerated during the tender period. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal declared the allegations would be proven false. Conversely, the Delhi BJP accused AAP of systematic corruption in public infrastructure projects.
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Legal History: Jain previously spent roughly 18 months in custody following his May 2022 arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a separate money laundering investigation before securing regular bail in October 2024.
