The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has intensified its search for retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal and other accused in connection with alleged irregularities worth ₹900 crore in the Jal Jeevan Mission tender process. Officials said that multiple teams have been deployed across several states as part of an extensive operation to locate the accused and gather evidence in the case.
According to ACB officials, the investigation has entered a crucial phase with coordinated raids across several cities and the questioning of dozens of individuals linked to the case.
Massive Multi-State Search Operation
An ACB official said that around 40 teams have been actively engaged in the search operation over the past 16 days.
During this period, investigators conducted raids at over 100 locations across nearly 21 cities. These include major cities in Rajasthan and several metropolitan areas across the country.
The cities where searches were carried out include Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Kota, Nagaur, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Faridabad, Noida, Meerut, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr and Mumbai.
Officials described the operation as one of the largest coordinated investigations in recent times related to alleged corruption in a government scheme.
Searches at Key Properties
ACB teams conducted searches at several prominent residential and commercial locations believed to be linked to the accused or their associates.
In New Delhi, searches were conducted in New Moti Bagh and Defence Colony.
In the National Capital Region, officials raided properties in Sector-39 in Faridabad, multiple residential locations in Noida, and a farmhouse in Sohna.
In Mumbai, investigators searched properties located in Malabar Hill and Juhu, both considered prime residential areas.
Multiple Locations Raided in Jaipur
In Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur, searches were carried out at several locations including C-Scheme, Nirman Nagar, Bajaj Nagar Extension, and nearby farmhouse properties.
ACB teams also conducted operations in areas surrounding the city such as Sewar, Bagru and Bindayaka, where properties linked to the accused or their associates were reportedly located.
50 Individuals Questioned
So far, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has questioned around 50 individuals as part of the investigation.
Those questioned include relatives, friends, drivers, and suspected associates of the accused. Officials said the questioning is aimed at tracking the movement of the accused and identifying possible financial links connected to the alleged tender irregularities.
CCTV Footage Under Technical Analysis
Investigators are also carrying out technical analysis of CCTV footage from five cities to trace the movements of the accused.
Officials said the analysis may provide crucial clues about the whereabouts of the suspects and their movements before and after the alleged irregularities came under scrutiny.
Four Associates Brought to Jaipur for Questioning
As part of the investigation, the ACB has brought four individuals to Jaipur for questioning for allegedly assisting Subodh Agarwal.
These include:
• His cousins Gaurav Agarwal and Saurabh Agarwal
• His wife’s cousin Sameer Agarwal
• Close associate and businessman Pranav Chandra
Officials suspect that these individuals may have helped Agarwal during the period under investigation.
Lookout Notice Issued Against Subodh Agarwal
Authorities have already issued a lookout notice against Subodh Agarwal to prevent him from leaving the country and to track his movements.
Apart from Agarwal, the ACB is also searching for three other accused persons in the case:
• Jitendra Sharma
• Mukesh Goyal
• Sanjeev Gupta
Role of Subodh Agarwal in the Case
Subodh Agarwal served as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) in Rajasthan at the time when the alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission tender process took place.
Officials suspect that irregularities in the tender process may have caused significant financial losses to the government.
Allegations of Forged Documents in Tender Process
According to investigators, two private firms allegedly secured tenders by submitting forged completion certificatesduring the bidding process.
The alleged use of fake documents is believed to have enabled the companies to qualify for contracts under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide drinking water supply to rural households across India.
The investigation is currently focused on tracing the financial trail and identifying all individuals involved in the alleged irregularities.
Read also: Rajasthan Jal Jeevan Mission Scam: ACB Issues Look Out Notice Against IAS Officer Subodh Agarwal
