In Rajasthan, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed a chargesheet in the alleged Rs 20,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam against former PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi and Sanjay Badaya. The chargesheet, spanning nearly 3,000 pages, was presented before the Special ACB Judge Rajesh Kumar Dadiya. The investigation is ongoing, as stated by Public Prosecutor Manjula Jain, representing the state government.
Earlier, the ACB had filed a chargesheet involving 10 accused, including former ACS Subodh Agrawal. The agency is proceeding with the case in phases, filing chargesheets as the investigation advances. Notably, several individuals, including Mahesh Joshi and Sanjay Badaya, are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case. Accused Arun Srivastava has been granted bail by the Rajasthan High Court.
Efforts are underway to apprehend individuals like Jitendra Sharma, Mukesh Goyal, and Sanjeev Gupta, against whom standing arrest warrants have been issued. The investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission’s tender process, contract awards, and financial transactions is ongoing. The ACB has hinted at the possibility of filing supplementary chargesheets as the probe continues.
Recently, the Rajasthan High Court rejected a habeas corpus petition filed by Rohit Joshi, Mahesh Joshi’s son, challenging his father’s arrest in the JJM scam. The court criticized the ACB and the Special Judge for procedural lapses and potential manipulation of facts. While acknowledging the constitutional requirement of communicating arrest grounds, the court found deficiencies in informing Mahesh Joshi of the reasons for his arrest.
