Delhi Jal Board case: Satyendar Jain, four others sent to 14-day judicial custody

Delhi Jal Board case: Satyendar Jain and four others detained for 14 days over alleged graft

NEW DELHI: A court on Wednesday ordered former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain and four co-accused to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with a corruption probe involving the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Ankit Shrivastava was also placed under two-day police custody. Bail applications will be addressed on August 25, with notices issued on the petitions.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) submitted Jain and the others to the court following their arrest on May 11, 2024, in relation to an FIR lodged over alleged irregularities in the tendering process for sewage treatment plant upgrades under DJB. The charges stem from Sections 7, 7A, 9, and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with relevant IPC provisions for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to X to query Union home minister Amit Shah, alleging pressure from the Anti-Corruption Branch to detain Jain. Kejriwal claimed the ACB official had stated there was no intention to arrest Jain until Wednesday morning, citing a call purportedly made by Shah ordering the arrest.

Meanwhile, BJP MP and former AAP leader Swati Maliwal accused Kejriwal of running a "corruption shop" during his tenure as Delhi chief minister, asserting he shirked ministerial duties to shift blame to others when wrongdoing allegations surfaced.