AAP leader Satyendar Jain sent to judicial custody in sewage plant tender case

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain was ordered by a special court to remain in judicial custody on Wednesday. The court also denied Jain's claim that his police arrest was unlawful. Jain, during his court appearance, alleged a political vendetta against him, suggesting it was linked to the impending Punjab elections.

Jain was among six individuals apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with a multi-crore sewage treatment plant (STP) tender fraud case. The STP scam allegedly involves bribery, tender manipulation, and criminal conspiracy. The ACB took these actions after a comprehensive investigation into accusations of wrongdoing in the bidding process for Delhi's sewage upgrade projects, which occurred during Jain's tenure as Delhi's Water Minister in 2022.

The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by the Directorate of Vigilance, alleging significant irregularities in the bidding process. Bribes totaling Rs 1.5 crore were allegedly received by former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Chief Executive Officer Udit Prakash Rai. The Anti-Corruption Branch formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) on May 11, 2024, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also joined the probe, filing a chargesheet against Jain and 13 others in 2025. The ED's investigation includes a parallel money laundering probe, alleging financial fraud amounting to approximately Rs 17.7 crore and the illegal allocation of four separate STP upgrade tenders.