Jaipur, April 10 (NationPress) Former IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, who has been implicated in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) fraud case, was officially placed in the custody of the ACB for three days by the ACB Court on Friday. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had initially requested a five-day remand for deeper investigations.

During the court proceedings, ACB representatives informed the judge that the case entails extensive fraud and severe financial misconduct. They emphasized that custodial questioning is essential to fully uncover the depth of the alleged scam.

The defense team, however, contested the arrest, arguing that Agarwal had not been made aware of the reasons for his detention. His lawyers pointed out that the matter had been pending for a lengthy duration, questioning the rationale for his arrest at this stage. They also referenced Supreme Court guidelines, which stipulate that the accused must be briefed about the grounds for their arrest and provided a copy of the remand application before being presented in court.

Prior to the hearing, Agarwal spoke to the media, asserting that he did not surrender under coercion. “I have neither surrendered nor been brought here under pressure. I have willingly come to assist with the investigation. I have confidence in the justice system,” he stated, adding a quote from Satyameva Jayate. Agarwal was taken into custody on Thursday in New Delhi and subsequently transported to Jaipur, where his formal arrest was processed.

The ACB has charged Agarwal with manipulating tender specifications using forged documents to approve projects valued at up to Rs 50 crore. He faces allegations of misusing his official capacity and committing irregularities in the tendering process associated with the Jal Jeevan Mission. To date, 10 individuals have been arrested in relation to this case, while three others remain at large.

Arrest warrants have been issued for those absconding, and actions to seize their assets are currently in progress. In an extensive effort to locate Agarwal, the ACB conducted operations at approximately 260 sites over 51 days, deploying 18 teams. Reports indicate he changed locations frequently, evading capture despite ongoing surveillance, with leads suggesting he was hiding in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Mumbai.

After court orders designated him a fugitive and initiated asset attachment procedures, Agarwal appeared before law enforcement. He underwent a medical examination on Thursday evening and was presented in court on Friday.

With the three-day remand granted, the ACB is set to interrogate him regarding the alleged JJM scam irregularities and identify accomplices who assisted him during his evasion. Look-Out Circulars were also issued previously to prevent his escape from the country.