Jaipur, May 11 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday night arrested accused Sanjay Badaya in connection with the multi-crore corruption case linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), officials said on Monday.

According to the ACB, Sanjay Badaya was detained at Delhi Airport upon his return from Thailand on the basis of a Lookout Circular issued earlier against him.

He was subsequently brought to the ACB headquarters by a special team and formally arrested.

The accused was produced before the competent court on Monday, which granted police remand till Wednesday for further interrogation and investigation.

Former PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi was also produced before the court on Monday and has been sent to judicial custody.

The case pertains to FIR No. 245/2024 registered by the ACB regarding alleged large-scale corruption in projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

The investigation has revealed that M/s Shri Ganpati Tubewell Company and M/s Shri Shyam Tubewell Company allegedly used forged work-completion certificates purportedly issued by IRCON International Limited to secure government tenders in Rajasthan.

According to the ACB, the firms, in alleged collusion with then PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi, former Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal, senior PHED engineers, contractors and private individuals, including Sanjay Badaya, obtained tenders worth nearly Rs 960 crore using fraudulent documents.

The SIT further alleged that manipulated tender conditions, including mandatory “Site Visit Certificates” for projects above Rs 50 crore, were introduced to facilitate collusive bidding or “tender pooling”.

This allegedly resulted in inflated bid premiums ranging between 30 per cent and 40 per cent, causing large-scale financial irregularities in projects collectively valued at around Rs 20,000 crore.

The ACB stated that the investigation found Sanjay Badaya to be a close associate of former PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi and alleged that he frequently interfered in departmental functioning.

Investigators also claimed to have uncovered evidence suggesting close links between contractors and accused officials, along with alleged transactions involving bribe money.

The SIT further alleged that pressure, including threats of transfers and departmental action, was exerted on PHED officials to facilitate corrupt practices, while favourable postings were allegedly secured through bribery.

So far, 12 accused have been arrested in the case, including former minister Mahesh Joshi, retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, serving and retired PHED officials and private individuals.

The ACB informed that standing arrest warrants have been issued against three absconding accused — Mukesh Goyal, Jitendra Sharma and Sanjeev Gupta — and proceedings are underway to declare them proclaimed offenders.

The agency also noted that five accused persons have received interim protection from arrest from the High Court.

The investigation is being carried out by the SIT under the supervision of Additional Director General Smita Srivastava.

The SIT team, formed under the direction of Deputy Inspector General Dr Rameshwar Singh, includes Additional Superintendents of Police Himanshu, Mahaveer Prasad Sharma and Bhupendra.

The ACB stated that detailed interrogation of the accused, collection of documentary and technical evidence, and further investigation into the alleged corruption are ongoing.

–IANS

arc/pgh