Former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and alleged middleman Sanjay Badaya appeared in an ACB Court regarding the Rs 900-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. Joshi was sent to judicial custody, while Badaya was remanded to police custody. The ACB had requested three days’ police remand for Joshi and five days for Badaya. However, the court decided on judicial custody for Joshi and police custody for Badaya for three days.
Badaya’s wife, Naina, was also in attendance at the court proceedings. Joshi was arrested on May 7, while Badaya was apprehended at Delhi Airport upon his return from Thailand, where he had attended a wedding. Speaking outside the court, Joshi expressed confidence in justice prevailing and stated that he had no secrets to hide or disclose.
Joshi criticized the ACB, claiming they were acting under political pressure and arresting individuals without evidence. He specifically mentioned the Look-Out Circular issued against Badaya, questioning its validity. According to the ACB, Badaya is considered the mastermind and key middleman in the alleged scam. Authorities detained him at Delhi Airport following his return from Thailand, where immigration authorities alerted the ACB.
Investigative agencies allege that Badaya played a significant role in financial transactions, transfers, introductions to the network, and tender irregularities related to the JJM project. The Enforcement Directorate had previously arrested Badaya in 2024, but he later obtained bail from the Supreme Court. Investigators claim that Badaya, who previously worked at an insurance company, accumulated substantial wealth during the period of the alleged scam.
