Rajasthan ex-minister Mahesh Joshi sent to judicial custody in JJM scam case

Jaipur, May 11 Former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and alleged middleman Sanjay Badaya were produced before an ACB Court on Monday in connection with the alleged Rs 900-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, where Joshi was sent to judicial custody while Badaya was remanded to police custody.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had sought three days’ police remand for Joshi and five days for Badaya.

However, the court sent Joshi to judicial custody while remanding Badaya to police custody for three days.

Badaya’s wife, Naina, was also present in court.

Joshi was arrested on May 7, while Badaya was arrested from Delhi Airport on Sunday night after returning from Thailand, where he had attended a wedding.

Speaking outside the court, Mahesh Joshi said: “Justice will prevail. I have nothing to hide, nor do I have anything to disclose.”

He further alleged: “The ACB is acting under political pressure. Arresting someone in a case without any evidence is wrong. The manner in which they issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against Sanjay Badaya — issuing an LOC for an individual who had travelled abroad with the court’s permission — is, in my view, absolutely incorrect. The entire matter is being handled under political pressure.”

According to the ACB, Sanjay Badaya is believed to be the mastermind and key middleman in the alleged scam.

Officials said he returned from Thailand and was detained at Delhi Airport after immigration authorities alerted the ACB. A Look-Out Circular had been issued against him on Sunday.

Investigating agencies claim that Badaya was closely associated with both Mahesh Joshi and retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal.

He is accused of playing an active role in financial dealings, transfers and postings, introducing new individuals into the network, and alleged tender irregularities linked to the JJM project.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier arrested Badaya on July 16, 2024.

He later secured bail from the Supreme Court on December 17, 2024.

Investigators further claimed that until 2022, Badaya worked at an insurance company with an annual salary of around Rs 7 lakh, but allegedly amassed significant wealth during the period of the alleged JJM scam.

The ED also alleged that Badaya and his wife operated a company named M/s Chamatkareshwar Builders and Developers, through which transactions worth crores of rupees were carried out in Jaipur.

The agency further alleged attempts to encroach on Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) land using forged documents.

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