AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in a case involving alleged manipulation and irregularities in a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) tender.
The case relates to the tendering process for upgrading sewage treatment plants. The Delhi ACB said the Directorate of Vigilance had complained of large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and a criminal conspiracy in the process.
Six people have been arrested following the investigation, including Jain and former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai.
According to the ACB, the tender conditions allegedly contained restrictive technical specifications designed to favour Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd. Investigators also alleged that a proposed pilot study was never conducted and that key parameters related to treated effluent were omitted from the tender.
The agency further alleged that intermediaries, including M/s Srijanhar and M/s AN Enterprises, were used to channel funds. It claimed that Rai received ₹1.52 crore in his and his relatives’ bank accounts from M/s AN Enterprises, owned by Nagendra Yadav. The money was allegedly used to buy immovable property.
The other accused arrested are Ankit Srivastava, a former contractual consultant with the DJB; Nagendra Yadav; Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd; and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of M/s Srijanhar.
AAP Calls Arrest Political
The AAP strongly criticised Jain’s arrest, pointing out that he was in prison when the alleged tender irregularities took place.
AAP National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda claimed the action was politically motivated and linked it to the upcoming Punjab elections, where Jain is the party’s co-in-charge.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also accused the BJP of ordering the arrest. He alleged that the earlier case against Jain was fabricated and claimed the latest case would meet the same fate.
The BJP rejected the allegations. Former Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said the arrest had exposed alleged corruption in the Delhi Jal Board and accused the AAP government of manipulating tenders and receiving bribes.
Jain’s Previous Case
Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2022 in a money laundering case. He was granted interim bail on medical grounds in May 2023 and later returned to jail.
He secured regular bail and was released in October 2024, after spending around 18 months in custody. His release came shortly after similar bail relief was granted to Kejriwal and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor policy case.
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