Did ED Conduct Raids in Delhi Jal Board STP Scam Case? Rs 41 Lakh Seized!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The ED conducted raids across multiple cities in relation to the DJB STP scam.
- Rs 41 lakh was seized along with critical evidence.
- Allegations include collusion among Joint Ventures and inflated project costs.
- The investigation is based on an FIR from the Anti-Corruption Branch.
- Further inquiries are being conducted to trace financial trails.
New Delhi, July 3 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched extensive search operations across various cities, including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Hyderabad on July 3, as part of an investigation into a corruption scandal tied to the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) sewage treatment initiatives.
This investigation is rooted in an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi Government against M/s Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd and others, invoking multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case revolves around alleged misconduct in awarding contracts totaling Rs 1,943 crore for the enhancement and upgrade of ten Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in the national capital.
The four principal tenders — concerning STPs at Pappankalan, Nilothi, Najafgarh, Keshopur, Coronation Pillar, Narela, Rohini, and Kondli — were granted in October 2022 to three Joint Venture (JV) firms.
According to the FIR, only three JVs contended for all four tenders, each obtaining one or two contracts through a seemingly mutual agreement.
Investigators suspect that the JVs colluded to skew the bidding process. The ACB asserts that the tendering procedures were intentionally made restrictive — particularly through the requirement of Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge technology — which narrowed the pool of eligible bidders.
Furthermore, the projected costs of the projects were inflated from Rs 1,546 crore to Rs 1,943 crore without appropriate justification or updated project reports, allegedly leading to substantial losses of public funds.
The findings from the ED have reinforced the FIR, indicating that all three JVs submitted identical experience certificates from a Taiwanese project, which were approved by the DJB without proper verification.
Following their successful bidding, the JVs subcontracted all work to Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd, the original accused named in the FIR.
During the operations, ED officials confiscated Rs 41 lakh in cash, alongside several incriminating documents and digital evidence.
The ED has announced that further investigations are ongoing to trace the financial trail and ascertain the involvement of officials and private entities implicated in the alleged fraud.