NEW DELHI: The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Tuesday arrested former minister Satyendar Kumar Jain, former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash Rai and four others in connection with alleged irregularities in the tendering process for sewage treatment plant (STP) projects.
The other arrested accused are Ankit Srivastava, 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.
The case was registered on May 11, 2024, following a complaint by the Delhi government's Directorate of Vigilance alleging large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the tendering process for the augmentation and upgradation of STPs under the DJB.
During the investigation, the ACB found that the tendering process allegedly contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions favouring Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd, thereby limiting competition and providing undue advantage to the private company, Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Vikramjit Singh said.
The investigation also found that the proposed pilot study was not conducted, while restrictive conditions relating to the technology and media to be used were allegedly included in the tender. Essential parameters relating to treated effluent were also allegedly excluded, while changes were made to the technical specifications, resulting in significant financial implications for the government exchequer, the officer said.
The ACB further alleged that private individuals were in regular communication with public servants and intermediaries to influence the tender process.
Analysis of electronic evidence allegedly revealed exchanges involving tender conditions, corrigendums and other documents that were subsequently incorporated into the tender notice issued by the DJB for the STP project, Singh said.
The investigation, according to the ACB, points to an alleged nexus between private individuals and public functionaries to influence the tender conditions in favour of Euroteck.
The financial probe also allegedly revealed the flow of funds in the form of commission or bribes through intermediary entities, including Srijanhar and AN Enterprises.
The ACB said substantial amounts were transferred to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav by entities linked to Euroteck. Subsequent transactions allegedly resulted in funds being transferred to then DJB CEO Rai and his relatives.
The agency said Rai received Rs 1.52 crore in his and his relatives' bank accounts through banking channels from AN Enterprises, which is owned by Yadav. The amount was allegedly used to purchase immovable property, Singh said.
The ACB is examining the complete money trail and alleged proceeds of crime, the officer added.
The investigation also uncovered alleged communications between Kurra, Yadav and Srivastava concerning meetings, tender conditions, corrigendums and other matters related to the STP tender.
According to the ACB, these communications indicate that certain restrictive conditions were allegedly introduced or modified in a manner that favoured Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd.
The six accused were arrested after being interrogated, and further investigation is underway, the ACB said.
AAP leaders on Tuesday hit out at the BJP over the arrest of Satyendar Jain calling it an act of political vendetta and claiming the case would eventually be proved false.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Jain was arrested at the behest of the BJP and said the latest case against him would also be proved “fake”.
“Jain had once again been arrested at the behest of the BJP,” Kejriwal said, claiming that the earlier case against the former minister had also been fabricated.
He questioned who would compensate Jain for the time he spent in jail and the alleged mental torture he faced, and accused the BJP of using “dictatorship and falsely implicating people”. Kejriwal said the AAP and people of the country stood firmly with Jain.
Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi described the arrest as another example of the BJP’s alleged “political vendetta”.
She alleged that Jain had earlier been framed in a false case and sent to jail, and claimed that the same was now being repeated.
“In the arrogance of power, the BJP may have forgotten that there is a limit to lies and oppression,” Atishi said, adding that government power could be used to intimidate people but “the truth cannot be suppressed forever”.
She said the issue was not merely Jain’s fight but also concerned those who opposed the alleged misuse of power, and asserted that the AAP stood firmly with him.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia alleged that Jain was arrested just ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, when he was serving as the party’s co-incharge for the election.
Sisodia claimed Jain had earlier spent two-and-a-half years in jail in a “fake case” and alleged that another such case had now been brought against him.
Referring to issues including the GenZ movement, alleged irregularities in Ram temple donations and the E20 issue, Sisodia alleged that the BJP, which was “cornered on all fronts”, had again resorted to its “old election-time tactics” involving central agencies.
AAP national spokesperson Anurag Dhanda also questioned the timing of the action, alleging that the tender at the centre of the case was issued in October 2022, while Jain had already been in jail since May that year in connection with an earlier case.
Dhanda described the action as a “baseless conspiracy” driven by political malice and alleged that the BJP was unable to face the Punjab election and had therefore targeted Jain, who was the party’s co-incharge.
