The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Sanjay Badhaya, a close associate of former Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister Mahesh Joshi, from Delhi airport early Monday in connection with the alleged Rs 900-crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam. ACB Director General Govind Gupta confirmed the arrest.
Arrest Details
Badhaya was returning from Thailand after attending a wedding when immigration authorities alerted the ACB. He was taken into custody around 2am. The agency had issued lookout notices against the accused and had been searching for him since Joshi's arrest on May 7.
Role in the Scam
According to an ACB officer, Badhaya is suspected to be one of the masterminds behind the scam and acted as a middleman in financial transactions, transfers, postings, and tender-related activities. He had close links not only with Joshi but also with retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, who was arrested in the same case on April 9 and is currently in jail.
Investigators alleged that Badhaya, who worked at an insurance company earning around Rs 7 lakh annually until 2022, amassed substantial wealth during the period of the alleged scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe found that Badhaya and his wife were linked to a real estate firm allegedly involved in large financial dealings and attempts to encroach on Jaipur Development Authority land using forged documents.
Legal Proceedings
Badhaya was earlier arrested by the ED on July 16, 2024, and later secured bail from the Supreme Court on December 17, 2024. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the accused could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Joshi and Badhaya were produced before an ACB court in Jaipur on Monday. The agency sought a three-day police remand for Joshi and five days for Badhaya. The court, however, sent Joshi to judicial custody and granted three days' police remand for Badhaya.
Political Allegations
Outside the court, Joshi alleged that the investigation was being driven by political pressure. 'Justice will prevail. I have nothing to hide or disclose,' he told reporters. Joshi also objected to the lookout circular issued against Badhaya, saying the latter had travelled abroad after obtaining court permission.
