PMLA Court Upholds ED Arrest of Former Rajasthan MLA in Sports Equipment Scam
A special court designated for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in Jaipur has firmly rejected the application filed by former Behror legislator Baljeet Yadav, which challenged the legal validity of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, reinforcing the agency's actions in a high-profile corruption investigation.
Judicial Custody Extended Amid Legal Battle
This decision follows the court's earlier order on Tuesday, which remanded Yadav to judicial custody until February 23. The judicial custody period commenced immediately after the completion of his initial three-day remand in ED custody, during which the agency conducted intensive interrogations.
Allegations of Massive Fund Misappropriation
The core of the case revolves around the alleged misdirection and misuse of approximately Rs 2.7 crore from the MLA Local Area Development (MLA LAD) funds. These public funds were supposedly allocated for the fiscal years 2021–22 with the stated purpose of procuring badminton and cricket equipment for 32 government schools located within the Behror constituency.
However, investigations suggest that the procurement process was riddled with severe irregularities and potential fraud.
From ACB FIR to ED's PMLA Case
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) initially registered a First Information Report (FIR) alleging significant discrepancies and corrupt practices in the purchase of sports goods. This ACB case served as the foundational predicate offense, enabling the Enforcement Directorate to subsequently register a separate case under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Defense Argument Over High Court Stay
During the heated courtroom arguments concerning the arrest's legality, Yadav's legal counsel, Kapil Gupta, presented a key contention. Gupta argued that the arrest was fundamentally illegal because the underlying ACB case had been stayed by the Rajasthan High Court in December 2025.
This stay order, according to the defense, should have invalidated the ED's subsequent arrest and PMLA proceedings.
Court's Firm Rejection and Implications
The PMLA court, after considering the arguments from both sides, decisively rejected Yadav's application. This ruling signifies a critical judicial endorsement of the ED's investigative authority in this matter. It underscores the legal principle that a stay on a predicate offense does not automatically halt or invalidate parallel proceedings under the PMLA, which targets the proceeds of crime separately.
The case continues to highlight ongoing efforts to combat corruption and money laundering in public fund utilization, particularly in schemes meant for grassroots development and youth sports infrastructure.
