ED Probes Jal Jeevan Mission Scam, Targets Former Minister Joshi
Rajasthan: A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against ex-Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and 21 others in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission scam in Rajasthan. This case has become a significant issue for the former Gehlot administration. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has stated that Mahesh Joshi will be interrogated soon, and the involvement of departmental officials and contractors will be thoroughly examined.
Truth should come out: Mahesh Joshi
On Tuesday, former state minister Joshi stated that the truth must be revealed and he has never opposed any investigative agency. He mentioned learning about the FIR against him and 21 others through the media and has not yet seen the FIR himself. Joshi emphasized that he has always supported impartial investigations and believes that the truth will prove his innocence and show that he is not involved in any corruption scandal.
BJP targets Congress
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Balmukund Acharya criticized the former Congress government for an alleged scam, asserting that funds allocated for the Jal Jeevan Mission were not used to supply tap water to the people but were merely documented on paper. The BJP MLA informed ANI, 'There was a significant scam in the Jal Jeevan Mission under the previous Congress government in the state. The central government's funds intended to provide tap water to every household were not utilized on the ground but only on paper.'
Sanjay Badaya arrested in the case
In early July, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjay Badaya, an alleged middleman in a money laundering probe linked to the implementation of the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme in Rajasthan. The ED's Jaipur zonal office-based unit arrested Badaya after questioning as his role as a middleman in the Rs 20,000-crore JJM scam was established during the investigation.
ED raids underway
The ED, which is probing under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), had carried out a series of raids, including at the residence of an IAS officer in Jaipur. On June 19 this year, the federal agency arrested the third accused in the case, Mahesh Mittal. Mittal, owner of Shree Ganapati Tubewell Company, was also arrested after further clues were received in the case.
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