JJM Scam: ACB Launches Surgical Strike, Searches at 15 Locations Including Retired IAS Subodh Agrawal

Jaipur: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a large-scale operation in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, targeting 15 high-profile individuals, including retired IAS officer Subodh Agrawal. Searches are underway across multiple states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, and Jharkhand. At Barmer railway station, XEN Vishal Saxena was taken into custody, marking a dramatic turn in the investigation.

Dramatic Arrest at Barmer

The most striking moment of the operation occurred at Barmer railway station early Tuesday morning. Vishal Saxena, an XEN posted at Jodhpur PHED, had arrived at the station around 5 AM to visit the Viratra Mata temple. As soon as he alighted from the train, the ACB team, lying in wait, detained him and immediately transferred him to Jaipur. A planned pilgrimage turned into a sudden arrest, highlighting the seriousness of the investigation.

Scam Details: ₹20,000 Crore Project Under Scrutiny

The ACB Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently probing projects worth nearly ₹20,000 crore. Allegations include manipulation of tender conditions to favor select companies. Mandatory site inspections were reportedly added as a pretext to identify preferred firms in advance. Companies such as Shri Shyam and Ganpati Tubewell allegedly received ₹55 crore without performing any actual work. In total, 139 engineers, including 15 XENs, 40 AENs, and 50 JENs, are now under the bureau’s radar.

Fake Certificates Worth ₹900 Crore

The investigation has revealed deeper layers of fraud. During the previous government’s tenure, fake certificates were issued in the name of the company Ircon, leading to tenders worth ₹900 crore. Vishal Saxena allegedly submitted a false report from Kerala to cover up the wrongdoing when the scam was about to be exposed.

Locations of ACB Raids

ACB teams conducted simultaneous raids in Jaipur, Barmer, Jalore, Sikar, Delhi, Bihar, and Jharkhand. More than half a dozen accused have already been taken into custody. The bureau is now scrutinizing documents that could reveal how public funds meant to provide drinking water were siphoned off to fill personal coffers.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities indicate that the involvement of former ministers and senior officials may further complicate the case.