18 August,2026 10:23 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The arrests were made on August 18 following an investigation into alleged corruption. File Pic/PTI
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested six people, including former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Kumar Jain and former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash Rai, over alleged irregularities and manipulation in the tendering process for the augmentation and upgradation of sewage treatment plants (STPs), the ANI reported.
The arrests were made on August 18 following an investigation into alleged corruption, manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the DJB tender process.
According to the ACB, the case was registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code following a complaint by the Directorate of Vigilance, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The other four accused arrested are Ankit Srivastava, former contractual consultant with the Delhi Jal Board, Nagendra Yadav, proprietor of M/s AN Enterprises, Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of M/s Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of M/s Srijanhar, the news agency reported.
The agency said the arrests followed the collection and examination of evidence during the investigation.
The ACB has alleged that tender conditions were manipulated through the introduction of restrictive technical specifications that favoured a particular technology provider, M/s Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd, as per the ANI.
According to the agency, the conditions allegedly restricted competition and provided an undue advantage to the private company.
Investigators also alleged that a proposed pilot study was not conducted. Other alleged irregularities included restrictive conditions regarding the technology and media to be used, the exclusion of important parameters related to treated effluent and subsequent changes to technical specifications, according to the ANI.
The ACB said its analysis of electronic evidence allegedly revealed communications between private individuals, intermediaries and public servants regarding tender conditions, corrigendums and other documents connected with the STP project.
The ACB stated that some of these documents were subsequently incorporated into the tender notice issued by the Delhi Jal Board.
The investigation is examining the alleged links between the people involved in preparing and modifying the tender documents and the private entities that stood to benefit from the process.
The ACB has also alleged that commission or bribe payments were routed through intermediary entities, including M/s Srijanhar and M/s AN Enterprises, reported the ANI.
The agency said substantial amounts were allegedly transferred to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav by entities linked to the private technology provider.
According to the ACB, subsequent transactions allegedly resulted in money being transferred to Udit Prakash Rai and his relatives.
The ACB has specifically alleged that Rai received around Rs 1.52 crore in his and his relatives' bank accounts through M/s AN Enterprises.
The agency further alleged that the money was subsequently used to purchase immovable property.
These allegations form part of the financial trail being examined by investigators in connection with the alleged tender irregularities.
The investigation also allegedly uncovered communications between Raja Kumar Kurra, Nagendra Yadav and Ankit Srivastava.
The communications reportedly concerned meetings, tender conditions, corrigendums and other matters related to the sewage treatment plant tender.
The ACB said the material gathered during the investigation led to the interrogation and subsequent arrest of all six accused on August 18.
The ACB said its investigation is continuing and further details are expected to emerge as investigators examine the alleged financial transactions, electronic communications and tender documents.
The allegations made by the agency are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the accused will have the opportunity to contest the charges before the court.
(with ANI inputs)
