Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued a Look Out Notice against absconding IAS officer Subodh Agarwal in connection with the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam in Rajasthan. The action was taken late Wednesday evening as the investigation into the multi-crore scam intensifies.
According to ACB Director General Govind Gupta, multiple teams have been conducting coordinated raids and arrests as part of the probe. The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing crackdown on officials and contractors involved in the case.
Nine Accused Sent to Three-Day Police Remand
A Rajasthan court has sent nine accused, who were arrested on Tuesday, to three days of police remand. In total, 10 current and retired officials from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) were arrested during the recent operation. One of the accused was apprehended from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.
The case was registered in 2024, and the investigation has since expanded to uncover a wide network of alleged corruption involving government officials and private contractors.
₹900 Crore Scam Linked to Poor-Quality and Stolen Pipes
The alleged scam, estimated to be worth over ₹900 crore during 2022–23, involves irregularities in the execution of water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Investigators revealed that contractors installed low-quality, rusted, and even stolen pipes sourced from Haryana and the National Capital Region (NCR).
In several cases, scrap pipes purchased from junk dealers were repaired and laid in rural areas. Shockingly, payments were reportedly released to contractors without proper quality checks or even opening tube wells in some locations.
Authorities have also found instances where bills were raised without actually laying pipelines, allegedly in exchange for bribes to officials.
Over 170 Officials and Contractors Under Scanner
So far, more than three dozen individuals — including former state minister Mahesh Joshi, several officials, engineers, and contractors — have already been arrested in connection with the scam.
The investigation currently covers around 170 officials, engineers, and contractors. The ACB has also found evidence suggesting the involvement of certain officials from Haryana’s water department, who allegedly aided contractors in procuring stolen materials.
Rajasthan’s Water Supply Minister Kanhaiyalal Chaudhary has stated that discussions will be held with the Haryana government regarding the matter.
Major Irregularities in 22 Districts
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, pipeline work was to be carried out across 22 districts of Rajasthan. However, the largest irregularities have reportedly been found in border districts such as Jaisalmer, Barmer, Alwar, Dausa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Banswara, Sikar, and Jalore.
Two Jaipur-based firms — Shree Shyam Tubewell Company, owned by Padamchand Jain, and Ganpati Tubewell Company, owned by Mahesh Mittal — are under scrutiny. Investigators allege that these companies secured contracts using forged certificates and installed stolen or substandard pipes in multiple districts.
Investigation Continues as ACB Tightens Noose
The Anti-Corruption Bureau continues to expand its probe, with further arrests and questioning expected in the coming days. Authorities are examining financial transactions, departmental approvals, and contractor networks to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption.
The case has raised serious concerns about the implementation of public welfare schemes and accountability in infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at providing clean drinking water to rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
