New Delhi: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government on Tuesday arrested six people, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain and former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash Rai, in connection with alleged corruption in the tendering process for sewage treatment plant (STP) projects.
The other accused are former DJB contractual consultant Ankit Srivastava and private individuals Nagendra Yadav, Raja Kumar Kurra and Pankaj Verma, the ACB said in a statement.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Jain, the former Delhi minister was arrested at the behest of the BJP and claimed the case against him would also be proved 'fake'.
Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP is using 'dictatorship and falsely implicating people' and said the AAP and people of the country stood firmly with Jain.
The case was registered on May 11, 2024, on a complaint by the Directorate of Vigilance, over alleged large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the tendering process related to augmentation and upgradation of sewage treatment plants of the DJB.
According to the ACB, the investigation found that the tendering process allegedly contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions favouring a particular technology provider, Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd, thereby limiting competition and providing undue advantage to the private entity, read the statement.
The agency alleged that the proposed pilot study was not conducted, while restrictive conditions concerning the technology and media to be used were included in the tender. It also alleged that essential parameters relating to treated effluent were excluded and technical specifications were changed, resulting in significant financial implications for the government exchequer, read the statement.
The investigation also revealed regular communication between private persons, public servants and intermediaries to manipulate the tender process. Analysis of electronic evidence showed an exchange of tender conditions, corrigendums and other documents which were subsequently incorporated into the DJB's tender notice, the ACB said.
The agency further alleged that money in the form of commission or bribe was routed through intermediary entities, including Srijanhar and AN Enterprises, the statement read.
The investigation allegedly found that substantial amounts were transferred to the proprietorship concern of Yadav by entities linked to Euroteck. Further transactions allegedly resulted in the transfer of funds to Rai and his relatives through banking channels.
The ACB said that Rai received ₹1.52 crore in his and his relatives' bank accounts through AN Enterprises and the money was allegedly used for purchasing immovable property.
The agency is examining the complete money trail and alleged proceeds of crime, it said.
The ACB also cited alleged communications among Kurra, Yadav and Srivastava regarding meetings, tender conditions and corrigendums, saying the material indicated that certain conditions were introduced or modified to favour Euroteck.
The six accused were interrogated and arrested on Tuesday in accordance with law, the ACB said, adding that further investigation was underway.
