Jaipur, April 10: Former IAS officer Subodh Agarwal has been remanded to three days of custody by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. The ACB had requested a five-day custody for further questioning.
During the hearing, ACB officials informed the court that the case involves large-scale fraud and serious financial irregularities. They argued that custody was essential to conduct a thorough investigation and uncover the full extent of the alleged wrongdoing.
However, the defense raised objections to the arrest, claiming that Agarwal had not been informed of the reasons for his detention. His lawyers argued that the case had been pending for a considerable time and questioned the necessity of arrest at this stage. They also referenced Supreme Court guidelines, which mandate that an accused must be informed of the reasons for their arrest and provided with a copy of the remand application before being presented in court.
Speaking to the media before the hearing, Agarwal denied surrendering under pressure. He stated, “I have neither surrendered nor have I been forcibly brought here. I came voluntarily to cooperate with the investigation. I have full faith in the judicial system.” Agarwal was taken into custody from New Delhi on Thursday and brought to Jaipur, where his formal arrest was recorded.
The ACB has alleged that Agarwal was involved in manipulating tender conditions using forged certificates to secure project approvals worth up to ₹50 crore. He is also accused of misusing his official position and causing irregularities in the tender process under the Jal Jeevan Mission. So far, ten individuals have been arrested in this case, while three accused remain at large.
Arrest warrants have been issued against the fugitives, and the process of seizing their assets is underway. In efforts to locate Agarwal, the ACB conducted raids at approximately 260 locations over 51 days, deploying 18 teams. Reports indicate that he changed his hiding places multiple times and evaded arrest despite constant surveillance. He was reportedly hiding in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Mumbai.
Following a court order declaring him a fugitive and initiating asset seizure proceedings, Agarwal presented himself to the authorities. He underwent a medical check-up on Thursday night and was presented in court on Friday.
With the three-day remand granted, the ACB will now interrogate him regarding the alleged irregularities in the JJM scam and identify individuals who may have assisted him while he was on the run. A ‘look-out circular’ has already been issued to prevent the accused from fleeing the country.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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