ED arrests 3rd accused in Rajasthan Jal Jeevan Mission 'scam'

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the third accused in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe linked to implementation of Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme in Rajasthan.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the third accused in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe linked to the implementation of the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme in Rajasthan. ED's Jaipur Zonal office arrested Mahesh Mittal, a contractor, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the JJM scam, said the ED.

Mittal, proprietor of Shri Ganpati Tubewell Company, was arrested on June 19. As per the ED, Mittal, along with others, was involved in giving bribe to public servants in order to obtain illegal protection, obtaining tenders, getting bills sanctioned and covering up irregularities in works executed by them in respect of various tenders received by them from Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED).

"The accused was also involved in the purchase of stolen goods from Haryana for using the same in their tenders and contracts," said the federal agency. Mittal was produced before the Special Trial Court (PMLA) on June 19, and the court granted five-day ED custody till June 24

ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Anti Corruption Branch, Jaipur, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, wherein it was stated that Mittal was also involved in securing tenders pertaining to JJM works based on purported fake and fabricated work completion certificates issued by IRCON by bribing senior PHED officials. ED investigation further revealed that Mittal is one of the main accused and is in receipt of proceeds of crime in his firm. "Thereafter, the same was laundered and layered through various bank accounts held in his name, entities in the name of his family members, which was further syphoned off by investment in immovable and movable properties."

The ED has conducted several searches in this case, leading to seizure of Rs 11.03 crore till date. Further, the ED had also arrested Peeyush Jain on February 29 and Padamchand Jain on June 13 in the same matter. (ANI)

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