The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan has arrested former state minister Mahesh Joshi in connection with the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission scam. The arrest was carried out by the ACB's Special Investigation Team (SIT) early Thursday morning at Joshi's residence located in San Colony near the Jaipur Railway Station.
Details of the Arrest
The SIT conducted a coordinated operation, surrounding the residence of the former minister before dawn. According to sources, the team had been monitoring Joshi's movements for several days prior to the arrest. The action is part of a broader investigation into irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship central government scheme aimed at providing piped water to rural households.
Mahesh Joshi, who served as a minister in the previous state government, has been under scrutiny for alleged involvement in corrupt practices related to the implementation of the mission in Rajasthan. The ACB has registered a case against him and several other officials for misappropriation of funds and violation of tender procedures.
Investigation and Next Steps
The SIT has seized documents and electronic devices from Joshi's residence for forensic analysis. The former minister is expected to be produced before a local court later today, where the ACB will seek his custody for further interrogation. The agency is also probing the role of other individuals, including contractors and bureaucrats, who may have colluded with Joshi.
This arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on corruption in Rajasthan. The ACB has intensified its investigations into the Jal Jeevan Mission following complaints of large-scale financial irregularities. The scheme, which has a substantial budget allocation, has faced allegations of fund diversion in multiple states.
Political reactions have been swift, with opposition parties demanding a thorough inquiry and the ruling party distancing itself from Joshi's actions. The case is expected to have repercussions in the state's political landscape as the next assembly elections approach.
