BJP MP Raghav Chadha has denied any connection with the alleged Delhi Jal Board (DJB) sewage treatment plant tender scam. His response came after former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain was arrested in connection with the case.
Sources close to Chadha said he had already left his position as Delhi Jal Board vice-chairman around seven months before the alleged irregularities took place.
Chadha Camp Points to Timeline
Chadha served as vice-chairman of the Delhi Jal Board from March 2, 2020, to March 3, 2022. He also resigned as an MLA that month.
According to his camp, the alleged irregularities in the sewage treatment plant tenders relate to October 2022. His supporters argue that since he was no longer associated with the board at that time, he had no role in the matter.
Sources close to Chadha also said that the investigating agency’s findings referred to the then Water Minister and ex-officio DJB chairman, the then DJB CEO, a consultant, the chief engineer and several private individuals and organisations.
They claimed Chadha’s name was not mentioned and no role was assigned to him in those findings.
AAP Questions Why Chadha Was Not Investigated
The controversy intensified after AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar questioned why Chadha had not been questioned or arrested.
She said the BJP had previously accused Chadha of involvement in the alleged irregularities and asked why investigators were not questioning him now. She also accused the BJP of carrying out “vendetta politics”.
Chadha’s camp rejected these allegations, saying that simply mentioning his name does not establish any criminal responsibility.
Six Arrested in DJB Case
The Delhi government‘s Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested six people in connection with alleged irregularities in tenders for the augmentation and upgradation of sewage treatment plants under the Delhi Jal Board.
Those arrested include Satyendar Jain and former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai.
The case involves allegations of manipulation of tender conditions, irregularities in the tender process and criminal conspiracy involving officials, consultants and private entities.
The case was registered on May 11, 2024, following a complaint from the Directorate of Vigilance.
Satyendar Jain Calls Case Politically Motivated
Jain has denied the allegations and described the case as politically motivated. He claimed his arrest was linked to the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
AAP has also rejected the allegations against Jain. Party leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh, have accused the BJP of using investigating agencies for political purposes.
Jain had earlier appeared before the Anti-Corruption Branch for questioning on June 6 last year.
BJP Leaders Target Previous AAP Government
Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra has alleged large-scale irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board and demanded that the investigation report be made public.
Other BJP leaders have also accused the previous AAP government of corruption in the DJB and alleged misuse of funds meant for sewage treatment.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged tender irregularities continues.
