ACB Arrests Satyendar Jain, Ex-DJB CEO and Four Others in STP Tender Case
The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Tuesday arrested former Delhi water minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain, former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) chief executive officer IAS Udit Prakash Rai, and four others in connection with alleged manipulation of tender conditions for sewage treatment plant (STP) projects.
According to ACB head and joint commissioner of police Vikramjit Singh, the other arrested individuals include Ankit Srivastava, a former contractual consultant with DJB; Nagendra Yadav, proprietor of AN Enterprises; Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd; and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of Srijanhar.
The case was registered on May 11, 2024, following a complaint from the Delhi government's Directorate of Vigilance regarding alleged large-scale irregularities and criminal conspiracy in the tendering process for the augmentation and upgradation of DJB sewage treatment plants.
ACB investigators stated that the tender contained restrictive technical specifications and conditions designed to favour Euroteck Environment, thereby curbing competition and providing the firm an undue advantage. The agency alleged that a proposed pilot study was never conducted, restrictive conditions regarding media and technology were incorporated, and key parameters concerning treated effluent were omitted, leading to significant financial losses for the government exchequer.
Electronic evidence recovered during the probe reportedly revealed exchanges between private individuals and public servants regarding tender documents and corrigendums. The ACB stated that these communications established a nexus to manipulate tender terms in favour of the chosen technology provider.
The agency further alleged that bribe and commission money was routed through intermediary entities, including Srijanhar and AN Enterprises. Substantial funds were transferred to Yadav's proprietorship by entities linked to Euroteck. The ACB claimed that Rs 1.52 crore was subsequently transferred to the bank accounts of Rai and his relatives from AN Enterprises and allegedly used to purchase immovable property.
The six accused were arrested following interrogation under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code sections relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy. Further investigation remains under way.
