Former Rajasthan MLA Baljit Yadav Remanded to ED Custody in Rs 3.7 Crore Fund Misuse Case
A special CBI court in Jaipur, designated to hear cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custodial remand of former Behror legislator Baljit Yadav until February 7. The decision was delivered on Wednesday, following intense legal arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
Arrest and Court Proceedings Under Tight Security
Baljit Yadav was arrested by the ED on Tuesday from Shahjahanpur in Alwar district and was subsequently produced before the court amid exceptionally tight security arrangements. The case revolves around alleged financial irregularities involving nearly Rs 3.7 crore from the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) funds during the fiscal years 2021–22.
Specifically, the funds were allocated for the procurement of badminton and cricket equipment for 32 government schools located within the Behror constituency. The ED initiated its PMLA investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) previously lodged by the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which had been probing the matter.
Defense Arguments: Illegal Arrest and Political Motivation
Opposing the ED's plea for custodial remand, Yadav's legal counsel, Kapil Prakash Gupta, presented a robust defense. Gupta argued that the arrest itself was illegal, citing that the Rajasthan High Court had already granted a stay in the ACB case against Yadav. Consequently, he contended that proceedings under the PMLA could not legally continue under these circumstances.
Furthermore, Gupta submitted that the ED had failed to disclose any "reasonable grounds" for Yadav's arrest, as mandated by law. He emphasized, "In the absence of such material particulars, the arrest is illegal and custodial interrogation unwarranted." The defense also maintained that the FIR was politically motivated and unsustainable, asserting that all works executed under Yadav's LAD scheme were carried out through official channels and with due approvals.
Prosecution's Counter: Need for Custodial Interrogation
Countering the defense's submissions, Ajadshatru Meena, representing the ED, argued before the court that custodial interrogation was absolutely essential for the ongoing investigation. Meena stated that witness statements recorded by the agency indicated that certain firms were allegedly constituted in the names of Yadav's family members.
These firms were subsequently awarded tenders for the purchase and supply of sports equipment under the LAD scheme. "We need to confront the accused before these witnesses," Meena asserted, highlighting the necessity of direct interaction to verify claims and gather evidence.
He further argued that the remand was crucial to trace the money trail, identify the proceeds of crime, and ascertain the accused's role in the formation and operation of the implicated firms. The ED's position is that without custodial access, key aspects of the financial investigation would remain unresolved.
Background and Next Steps
During his tenure as an MLA, Baljit Yadav had garnered public attention for organizing a much-publicized sunrise-to-sunset run against corruption in Jaipur's Central Park. In a notable move, he had even announced a reward of Rs 51,000 to anyone providing information on corruption or corrupt practices, positioning himself as an anti-corruption advocate.
The court has scheduled the next hearing to take place upon completion of the remand period. This case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of public fund utilization and the legal complexities surrounding money laundering allegations in political circles.
