New Delhi, August 20: The political battle over the alleged Delhi Jal Board tender scam intensified on Thursday after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the timing of the tender process and defended former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, while the BJP welcomed the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) investigation.
Jain was arrested by the Delhi ACB along with former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai and four others in connection with alleged irregularities in the tendering of sewage treatment plant projects. A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Jain and other accused to 14 days of judicial custody.
The AAP has argued that Jain was already in jail when key stages of the tender process took place. According to reports, decisions related to the sewage treatment plant tenders were taken in 2021, while Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2022. Government sources cited in reports said the proposal was submitted in October 2021 and received in-principle approval from Jain, who was then Delhi's water minister.
The party has used this timeline to question the allegations against Jain and has described the ACB action as politically motivated. Jain himself has denied wrongdoing and told the court that he depended on technical experts for the project and was not involved in the technical aspects of the tender process.
The ACB, however, alleges that tender conditions were manipulated to restrict competition and favour a particular technology provider, Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd. Investigators are also examining an alleged ₹1.52 crore money trail involving former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai and his relatives.
The BJP has strongly backed the investigation, rejecting AAP's claims of political vendetta. BJP leaders have argued that the probe is based on alleged irregularities and a money trail and should be allowed to proceed without political interference.
The case was registered in May 2024 following a complaint by the Delhi government's Directorate of Vigilance. The investigation focuses on alleged manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in projects involving the augmentation and upgrading of sewage treatment plants under the Delhi Jal Board.
With Jain now in judicial custody, the case has opened another political confrontation between AAP and the BJP. While AAP continues to question the basis and timing of the action, investigators are examining the alleged tender manipulation, communications between private players and officials, and the suspected flow of money.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the accused have not been convicted of any offence.
