Raj JJM scam: Sanjay Badaya arrested at Delhi airport, Mahesh Joshi in court today
Synopsis
Sanjay Badaya, the alleged key middleman in Rajasthan's ₹900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam, was nabbed at Delhi airport at 2 am after returning from Thailand — just a day after a look-out notice was issued. With former minister Mahesh Joshi heading to court and three accused still absconding, the ACB's net is tightening around one of the state's biggest corruption cases.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Badaya , alleged middleman in the ₹900 crore JJM scam , arrested at Delhi airport at around 2 am on 11 May .
Badaya had travelled to Thailand ; a look-out notice was issued on 10 May before his return.
Former Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi to be produced before the ACB court today after remand period ends.
Retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal was arrested on 9 April and remains in jail.
Accused could face up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Prevention of Corruption Act if convicted.
Three other accused in the case are still absconding.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Sanjay Badaya, the alleged mastermind and key middleman in the ₹900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, at Delhi airport in the early hours of Monday, 11 May. Badaya is being brought to Jaipur for further investigation, officials confirmed.
How the Arrest Unfolded
Badaya had reportedly travelled to Thailand to attend a wedding ceremony. On his return, the Bureau of Immigration immediately alerted the ACB upon his arrival at Delhi airport. An ACB team detained him at around 2 am. A look-out notice had already been issued against him on 10 May, amid concerns that he might flee the country. Three other accused in the case remain absconding.
Badaya's Alleged Role in the JJM Scam
According to investigative agencies, Sanjay Badaya served as the primary middleman in the JJM scam. He is alleged to be a close associate of former Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi and retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, both of whom have already been arrested. Agencies claim Badaya was actively involved in financial transactions, transfer and posting operations, recruitment of individuals, and facilitating alleged irregularities in the tender process. He is a resident of Bani Park, Jaipur.
Notably, until 2022, Badaya worked at an insurance company with an annual salary of around ₹7 lakh. Investigators allege that following his involvement in the JJM scam, he reportedly amassed significant wealth within a short period. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had previously arrested him on 16 July 2024; he was later granted bail by the Supreme Court on 17 December 2024.
The ED investigation further revealed that Badaya had established a company in which his wife, Naina Badaya, was also a partner. The company allegedly conducted business worth crores in Jaipur. Investigators also uncovered alleged attempts to encroach upon Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) land using forged documents.
Mahesh Joshi to Be Produced in Court Today
Former Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi, arrested by the ACB on 7 May, was remanded to ACB custody until 11 May. Following the completion of his remand period, he is scheduled to be produced before the ACB court on Monday. Earlier, on 9 April, then-Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal was also arrested and is currently lodged in jail.
According to the ACB's preliminary investigation and charge sheet, if charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act are proven, Joshi, Agarwal, and other co-accused could face rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Operation Details
The arrest operation was conducted under the supervision of DIG Dr Rameshwar Singh. ASP Mahaveer Prasad Sharma, ASP Bhupendra Singh, and ASP Himanshu Kuldeep were part of the team. The action was reportedly carried out under the directives of DG Govind Gupta and ADG Smita Srivastava.
Point of View
Only to be caught on return. What stands out here is the speed of the look-out notice, issued just a day before Badaya landed. The JJM scam is particularly damaging because it allegedly siphoned funds from a flagship rural water scheme meant for the country's most underserved households. With a former minister, a senior IAS officer, and now the alleged primary middleman in custody, the ACB appears to be building a layered case — but the three still-absconding accused remain a critical gap in the prosecution's chain.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sanjay Badaya and what is his alleged role in the JJM scam?
Sanjay Badaya is the alleged mastermind and key middleman in the ₹900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam in Rajasthan. He is accused of facilitating financial transactions, influencing transfers and postings, recruiting individuals, and enabling irregularities in the tender process.
How was Sanjay Badaya arrested?
Badaya was arrested at Delhi airport at around 2 am on 11 May after returning from Thailand, where he had attended a wedding. The Bureau of Immigration alerted the ACB upon his arrival, and an ACB team detained him. A look-out notice had been issued against him on 10 May.
What is the Jal Jeevan Mission scam in Rajasthan?
The Jal Jeevan Mission scam is an alleged ₹900 crore corruption case in Rajasthan involving irregularities in the implementation of the Centre's flagship rural drinking water scheme. Key accused include former Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi, retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, and middleman Sanjay Badaya.
What is the current status of Mahesh Joshi in the JJM case?
Former Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi was arrested by the ACB on 7 May and remanded to ACB custody until 11 May. He is scheduled to be produced before the ACB court on Monday, 11 May.
What punishment do the accused face if convicted?
According to the ACB's charge sheet, if charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act are proven, Mahesh Joshi, Subodh Agarwal, and other co-accused could face rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years.
