Ex-minister Satyendar Jain, five others arrested in alleged corruption case linked to Delhi Jal Board tenders

Key points

• The other arrested includes Ankit Srivastava, former contractual consultant of DJB, Nagendra Yadav, Proprietor AN Enterprises, Raja Kumar Kurra, owner…
• The funds transferred via AN Enterprises from Euroteck, the technology provider, Singh stated.
•  The investigation further revealed alleged communications between Kurra, Yadav and Srivastava regarding meetings, tender conditions, corrigendum and other matters connected…
• The financial investigation has also disclosed an alleged flow of funds in the form of commission/bribe through intermediary entities –…

Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Tuesday arrested former minister Satyendar Kumar Jain, former Delhi Jal Board CEO Udit Prakash Rai and four others in connection with alleged irregularities in the tendering process of sewage treatment plants (STPs).

The other arrested includes Ankit Srivastava, former contractual consultant of DJB, Nagendra Yadav, Proprietor AN Enterprises, Raja Kumar Kurra, owner Euroteck Environement Pvt Ltd, and Pankaj Verma, Proprietor Srijanhar.

The case was lodged on May 11, 2024 on the complaint of Directorate of Vigilance, Delhi government regarding large-scale irregularities, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the tendering process relating to augmentation/upgradation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

During investigation, it was revealed that the tendering process allegedly involved restrictive technical specifications and conditions favouring a particular technology provider M/s Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd. thereby restricting competition and providing undue advantage to a selected private entity, Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Vikramjit Singh said.

What happened

The investigation further revealed non-conduct of the proposed pilot study, inclusion of restrictive conditions relating to the technology/media to be employed, exclusion of essential parameters of treated effulent and changes in technical specifications which allegedly resulted in significant financial implications for the government exchequer.

Investigation further revealed that private persons were allegedly in regular communication with certain public servants and intermediaries so as to manipulate the tender process.

Analysis of electronic evidence allegedly showed exchange of restrictive tender conditions, corrigendums and other tender-related documents which were subsequently incorporated into the tender notice of STP project issued by DJB, Singh stated.

It indicates an alleged nexus between private persons and public functionaries for influencing the tender conditions in favour of a particular technology provider.

The details

The financial investigation has also disclosed an alleged flow of funds in the form of commission/bribe through intermediary entities — Srijanhar and AN Enterprises.

Probe has revealed that substantial amounts were transferred to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav from entities connected with the private technology provider. Further transactions resulted in transfer of funds to government office-holders namely Udit Prakash Rai, the then CEO/DJB and their relatives. The investigation is examining the complete money trail and the alleged proceeds of crime.

The investigation also disclosed that Rai received a bribe amount to the tune of Rs 1.52 crore in his and his relatives bank accounts through banking channels from AN Enterprises, a proprietorship concern of Nagendra Yadav, and that the said amount was allegedly utilised for purchase of immovable property. The funds transferred via AN Enterprises from Euroteck, the technology provider, Singh stated.

 The investigation further revealed alleged communications between Kurra, Yadav and Srivastava regarding meetings, tender conditions, corrigendum and other matters connected with the STP tender. The investigation indicates that certain restrictive conditions were allegedly introduced or modified in a manner favouring the technology provider M/s Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd.