NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Tuesday arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Kumar Jain along with five others in connection with alleged corruption and irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board’s sewage treatment plant tendering process.
The other accused arrested in the case are former Delhi Jal Board CEO and IAS officer Udit Prakash Rai, former contractual consultant Ankit Srivastava, AN Enterprises proprietor Nagendra Yadav, Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd owner Raja Kumar Kurra and Srijanhar proprietor Pankaj Verma.
The arrests were made in connection with an FIR registered on May 11, 2024, following a complaint by the Directorate of Vigilance over alleged large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the augmentation and upgradation of sewage treatment plants operated by the Delhi Jal Board.
According to the ACB, its investigation found that the tender allegedly contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions designed to favour a particular technology provider, Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd.
The agency alleged that the conditions restricted competition and gave an undue advantage to the selected private company.
Investigators also alleged that the proposed pilot study was not conducted and that restrictive conditions were imposed regarding the technology and materials to be used. The ACB further claimed that key parameters relating to treated wastewater were omitted and technical specifications altered, allegedly causing financial loss to the government.
The agency said examination of electronic evidence revealed communications among private individuals, government officials and intermediaries in connection with the tendering process.
According to investigators, tender conditions, corrigendums and other related documents were allegedly exchanged among them before being incorporated into the Delhi Jal Board’s sewage treatment plant tender notice.
The ACB alleged that the evidence pointed to a nexus between private individuals and public functionaries to influence tender conditions in favour of Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd.
The financial investigation has also allegedly traced movement of funds in the form of commissions or bribes through intermediary entities, including Srijanhar and AN Enterprises.
Officials claimed that substantial amounts were transferred to the proprietorship concern of Nagendra Yadav from entities linked to the private technology provider, followed by further transfers to government officials and their relatives.
The agency has specifically alleged that Udit Prakash Rai, who was then CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, received Rs 1.52 crore in his and his relatives’ bank accounts through banking channels from AN Enterprises.
It further alleged that the amount was subsequently used for purchasing immovable property.
According to the ACB, the funds routed through AN Enterprises had originated from Euroteck, the technology provider.
The agency said the investigation is continuing to examine the complete money trail and the alleged proceeds connected with the case.
