[ad_1]
Jaipur, April 9, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): In a major development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal in connection with an alleged large-scale corruption case linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission.
According to officials, Agarwal, who served as Additional Chief Secretary, was taken into custody from Delhi on Thursday in connection with case number 245/2024 registered by the ACB. Further investigation in the matter is ongoing.
The probe revealed that firms — M/s Shri Ganpati Tubewell Company (proprietor Mahesh Mittal) and M/s Shri Shyam Tubewell Company (proprietor Padamchand Jain) — allegedly submitted forged completion certificates of IRCON International Ltd. These documents were reportedly used in collusion with senior officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to secure tenders worth around Rs 960 crore in Rajasthan.
Investigators also found that during Agarwal’s tenure, certain tender conditions, including mandatory site visit certificates for major projects above Rs 50 crore, were introduced in violation of rules. This allegedly exposed bidder identities and facilitated cartelisation, resulting in inflated tender premiums of 30 to 40 percent. The total value of such tenders is estimated at around Rs 20,000 crore.
Earlier, 10 accused, including senior engineers and officials, had already been arrested in the case. Meanwhile, three absconding accused — Mukesh Goyal, Jitendra Sharma, and Sanjeev Gupta — have been declared proclaimed offenders, and permanent arrest warrants have been issued against them by the court. Proceedings for attachment of their properties are also underway.
The High Court has granted relief from arrest to five other accused in the case.
The investigation is being carried out under the supervision of Additional Director General Smita Srivastava. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed under the direction of senior police officers, is conducting detailed analysis of technical and documentary evidence to expedite the probe.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
Related
[ad_2]
Source link
