ACB Arrests Mahesh Joshi Amidst Jal Jeevan Mission Scam Investigation
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has detained former minister Mahesh Joshi in connection with the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, reportedly involving irregularities to the tune of ₹900 crore to ₹960 crore. The arrest occurred early this morning at Joshi's Jaipur residence, following an FIR previously filed against him and 22 other officials.
The investigation centers on alleged irregularities in tender allocation during Joshi's tenure as the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister. Key figures named in the FIR include JJM financial advisor Sunil Sharma, then Chief Engineer Ram Karan Meena, and Additional Chief Engineer Arun Srivastava, among others. Authorities reportedly secured critical leads through an examination of email correspondence, which allegedly exposed a network connecting contractors and officials.
This action follows a series of investigations and arrests by both the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning the JJM scheme. The ED had previously arrested Joshi on April 24, 2025, in a money laundering case linked to the same alleged irregularities, and he was subsequently taken into four-day custody. During that period, Joshi asserted his innocence, claiming he had not committed any wrongdoing and was being targeted by individuals against whom he had taken action.
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Background of the Jal Jeevan Mission Scam Allegations
The Jal Jeevan Mission, a central government initiative aimed at providing tap water to all households, has become the focal point of this investigation. The allegations suggest misappropriation of funds and fraudulent tendering processes under the scheme. Reports indicate that companies like Shri Ganapati Tubewell Company allegedly used forged documents to secure contracts.
The scope of the investigation has broadened significantly, with the ACB conducting raids across multiple locations nationwide, including Jaipur, Barmer, Sikar, Jalore, Delhi, Bihar, and Jharkhand. These operations have targeted the premises of senior officials, including a retired Additional Chief Secretary and a senior IAS officer. The ED has also attached assets worth ₹11.03 crore, and in a separate action on June 13, 2025, provisionally attached properties valued at ₹47 crore belonging to Joshi and his associates.
The allegations against Mahesh Joshi include accusations of misusing his ministerial position and potentially accepting bribes to facilitate contract awards. The investigation has been ongoing since at least November 2024, when an FIR was initially filed against Joshi and others. The case has also seen the issuance of a Look-Out Circular for IAS officer Subodh Agarwal.
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Joshi's arrest has political undertones, with reports suggesting it could create further rifts within the Congress party in Rajasthan and provide ammunition for the BJP.
