Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, five others arrested in Jal Board STP tender case

The AntiCorruption 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 reportedThe arrests were made on August 18 following an investigation into alleged corruption manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in the DJB tender processAccording 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 DelhiThe other four accused arrested are Ankit Srivastava former contractual consultant with the Delhi Jal Board Nagendra Yadav proprietor of Ms AN Enterprises Raja Kumar Kurra owner of Ms Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd and Pankaj Verma proprietor of Ms Srijanhar the news agency reportedThe agency said the arrests followed the collection and examination of evidence during the investigationManipulation of STP TenderThe ACB has alleged that tender conditions were manipulated through the introduction of restrictive technical specifications that favoured a particular technology provider Ms Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd as per the ANIAccording to the agency the conditions allegedly restricted competition and provided an undue advantage to the private companyInvestigators 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 ANIThe 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 projectThe ACB stated that some of these documents were subsequently incorporated into the tender notice issued by the Delhi Jal BoardThe 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 processBribe paymentsThe ACB has also alleged that commission or bribe payments were routed through intermediary entities including Ms Srijanhar and Ms AN Enterprises reported the ANIThe agency said substantial amounts were allegedly transferred to the proprietorship concern of accused Nagendra Yadav by entities linked to the private technology providerAccording to the ACB subsequent transactions allegedly resulted in money being transferred to Udit Prakash Rai and his relativesThe ACB has specifically alleged that Rai received around Rs 152 crore in his and his relatives bank accounts through Ms AN EnterprisesThe agency further alleged that the money was subsequently used to purchase immovable propertyThese allegations form part of the financial trail being examined by investigators in connection with the alleged tender irregularitiesCommunications between accused examinedThe investigation also allegedly uncovered communications between Raja Kumar Kurra Nagendra Yadav and Ankit SrivastavaThe communications reportedly concerned meetings tender conditions corrigendums and other matters related to the sewage treatment plant tenderThe ACB said the material gathered during the investigation led to the interrogation and subsequent arrest of all six accused on August 18Probe underwayThe ACB said its investigation is continuing and further details are expected to emerge as investigators examine the alleged financial transactions electronic communications and tender documentsThe 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 courtwith ANI inputs