3 weeks ago
Rajasthan High Court reserves order on JJM scam bail pleas
Some people in Rajasthan are being investigated for a big water project called the Jal Jeevan Mission, which is meant to provide clean water to villages.
One of them is Mahesh Joshi, who used to be a minister in the Rajasthan government.
He and six other people are accused of helping certain companies get special treatment and money.
They asked the High Court to let them out of jail while the investigation continues.
The accused people's lawyers said they did nothing wrong.
They said the government had already punished the companies and never questioned Joshi while he was in custody for another case.
The government's lawyers said there is evidence that the accused helped the companies unfairly.
They said huge payments, over 14 crore rupees, were made to these companies.
The judge listened to both sides and is now thinking carefully about what to decide.
The court will give its answer soon.
The Rajasthan High Court reserved its order on bail applications of seven accused, including former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi, in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam.
The defence argued Joshi's arrest was unwarranted, noting the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) never interrogated or arrested him during nearly seven months in ED custody.
The defence said PHED blacklisted the companies and withheld payments before the FIR and that only four of around 140 JJM tenders were awarded during Joshi's and Agrawal's tenures.
The prosecution alleged the proprietors of two companies influenced PHED decisions and that nearly Rs 14 crore in payments were released despite a high-powered committee being constituted.
The state claimed about Rs 50 lakh was transferred from accounts linked to relatives of Joshi's close associate Sanjay Badaya to a firm owned by the former minister's son, Rohit Joshi.
Additional Advocate General Rajesh Chaudhary, for the state, argued that intercepted calls showed the businessmen knew as early as June 20, 2023, who would chair the high-powered committee.
- Who
- Seven accused, including former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and former Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agrawal, with the state represented by Additional Advocate General Rajesh Chaudhary, before Justice Chandra Prakash Shrimali of the Rajasthan High Court.
- What
- The Rajasthan High Court reserved its order on bail applications in the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam case.
- Where
- Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur.
- When
- Wednesday, when the hearing concluded and the court reserved the matter for orders.
- Why
- The accused sought bail in the JJM corruption case, and the court heard detailed arguments from both the defence and the prosecution before reserving its verdict.
Defence
Prosecution (State)
Mahesh Joshi's arrest
Defence
The arrest was unwarranted: the ACB never interrogated or arrested Joshi during nearly seven months in ED custody, and there is no documentary evidence of any illegal demand or gratification.
Prosecution (State)
The investigation uncovered evidence that the company proprietors influenced PHED decisions, and intercepted calls showed they knew in advance who would chair the high-powered committee, pointing to irregularities at ministerial and bureaucratic levels.
Action against the companies
Defence
PHED acted promptly by blacklisting the companies and withholding payments immediately after complaints, even before the FIR was registered.
Prosecution (State)
The companies were blacklisted only after the ACB conducted raids, despite earlier information being available about the alleged irregularities.
Payments and tenders
Defence
Only four of about 140 JJM tenders were awarded during Joshi's and Agrawal's tenures, and the alleged forged certificates were used before they assumed their posts.
Prosecution (State)
Despite the high-powered committee, nearly Rs 14 crore in payments were released to the companies, and IRCON had already indicated the submitted certificates were forged.
Key facts
- Court
- Rajasthan High Court
- Judge
- Justice Chandra Prakash Shrimali
- Case
- Bail pleas in alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam
- Accused
- Seven, including Mahesh Joshi and Subodh Agrawal
- Tenders
- Around 140 floated; only 4 awarded during Joshi's and Agrawal's tenures
- Alleged payments
- Nearly Rs 14 crore released to the companies
- Alleged fund transfer
- About Rs 50 lakh to a firm owned by Joshi's son
- Status
- Order reserved by the High Court
Quotes
Additional Advocate General Rajesh Chaudhary
State counsel in the bail hearing
“"The investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that the proprietors of the two companies exercised significant influence over administrative decisions within the PHED."”
thehansindia.com
“"The hearings were conducted and the matter reserved for orders."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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