Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, Ex-DJB CEO Rai arrested in STP case

New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS/WISHAVWARTA) Former Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Kumar Jain and former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash Rai, an IAS officer, were among six people arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) on Tuesday in connection with an alleged corruption and tender-manipulation case involving the augmentation and upgradation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the national capital.

The other four accused arrested in the case are Ankit Srivastava, a former contractual consultant with the DJB; Nagendra Yadav, proprietor of M/s AN Enterprises; Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of M/s Euroteck Environment Private Limited; and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of M/s Srijanhar.

The arrests were made in connection with an FIR, registered on May 11, 2024, at the ACB police station on a complaint from the GNCTD’s Directorate of Vigilance.

The FIR invokes Sections 7, 7A, 9 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, along with Sections 420, 409, 418 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the ACB, the case concerns alleged large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the tendering process for DJB’s STP projects.

During the investigation, the ACB allegedly found that the tendering process contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions favouring a particular technology provider, M/s Euroteck Environment Private Limited.

Investigators have alleged that the conditions restricted competition and provided undue advantage to the selected private entity.

The anti-corruption agency said the proposed pilot study for the STP upgradation work was not conducted.

It also alleged that restrictive conditions relating to the technology and media to be used were incorporated into the tender, while essential parameters concerning treated effluent were excluded.

According to investigators, technical specifications were subsequently changed, allegedly resulting in significant financial implications for the government exchequer.

The ACB also alleged that private individuals were in regular communication with certain public servants and intermediaries in connection with the tendering process.

Analysis of electronic evidence allegedly revealed the exchange of restrictive tender conditions, corrigendums and other documents related to the project.

Investigators allege that some of these conditions and documents were subsequently incorporated into the STP tender issued by the DJB.

The agency has described the alleged communications and document exchanges as evidence pointing towards a nexus between private persons and public functionaries aimed at influencing tender conditions in favour of M/s Euroteck Environment Private Limited. The financial investigation has also focused on an alleged flow of commission or bribe money through intermediary entities, including M/s Srijanhar and M/s AN Enterprises.

According to the ACB, substantial amounts were transferred to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav from entities connected with the private technology provider.

The investigation allegedly traced subsequent transactions involving transfers of funds to government officials, including the then DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai, as well as his relatives.

The agency has alleged that Rai received bribes totalling around Rs 1.52 crore in his own and his relatives’ bank accounts through banking channels from M/s AN Enterprises, the proprietorship concern of Nagendra Yadav.

The ACB also alleged that the funds transferred through M/s AN Enterprises originated from M/s Euroteck, the technology provider involved in the STP project.

Investigators have alleged that the money was subsequently used for the purchase of immovable property.

The agency said it is continuing to examine the complete money trail and the alleged proceeds of crime.

The investigation has also uncovered alleged communications between Raja Kumar Kurra, Nagendra Yadav and Ankit Srivastava concerning meetings, tender conditions, corrigendums and other matters relating to the STP tender.

According to the ACB, the communications and electronic evidence indicate that certain restrictive conditions were allegedly introduced or modified in a manner that favoured M/s Euroteck Environment Private Limited.

The agency is examining the role of the accused in the alleged conspiracy, including the alleged involvement of public functionaries, private entities and intermediaries in the tendering process.

The ACB said that after examining the material collected during the investigation, all six accused were questioned before being arrested on August 18 in accordance with law.

The arrests mark a significant development in the probe into alleged corruption and irregularities surrounding the DJB’s STP upgradation projects.

The ACB has said that further investigation is in progress.

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