JJM Scam: SIT arrests Sanjay Badaya at Delhi Airport, remand till Wednesday

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested accused Sanjay Badaya on Sunday night in connection with the multi-crore corruption case linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Rajasthan, officials confirmed on Monday, 11 May. Badaya was intercepted at Delhi Airport upon his return from Thailand on the basis of a Lookout Circular issued against him earlier.

Arrest and Court Remand

Badaya was brought to the ACB headquarters by a special team and formally arrested. He was produced before the competent court on Monday, which granted police remand till Wednesday for further interrogation and investigation. Separately, former Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Mahesh Joshi was also produced before the court on the same day and has been sent to judicial custody.

What the Case Involves

The case pertains to FIR No. 245/2024 registered by the ACB regarding alleged large-scale corruption in projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. According to investigators, M/s Shri Ganpati Tubewell Company and M/s Shri Shyam Tubewell Company allegedly used forged work-completion certificates purportedly issued by IRCON International Limited to secure government tenders in Rajasthan.

The ACB alleged that these firms, in collusion with then PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi, former Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal, senior PHED engineers, contractors, and private individuals including Badaya, obtained tenders worth nearly ₹960 crore using fraudulent documents. The SIT further alleged that manipulated tender conditions — including mandatory