Beleaguered former IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, who is facing corruption charges in the alleged Rs 960 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam is likely to get bail after two days.
The ACB court, hearing the case after three days police remand, granted police custody for two more days as against the ACB's demand of three days.
“ACB has investigated Agarwal thoroughly. He is cooperating with the agency. There is not much to be asked. He must get bail,” said a senior IAS officer.
The ACB has alleged that Subodh Agarwal had played a key role in the JJM scam while serving as Additional Chief Secretary of PHED department – the department which runs JJM scheme.
It is alleged that Subodh Agarwal used his influence to clear inappropriate tenders and files in favour of contractors who gave kick back. Agarwal on the other hand claimed that instead of favouring contractors, he (Subodh Agarwal) cancelled the bids and brought the scam to light.
Earlier, ED had also launched investigation in this case. Former PHED minister Mahesh Joshi in the Congress government and more than a dozen engineers and two contractors have faced music in this case. While Joshi and the two contractors have been granted bail from Supreme Court after ED had interrogated them in its custody.
ED had interrogated Agarwal also on November 3, 2023 after conducting raids on his residence and office. The agency raided few more technical officers and seized cash of around Rs 11.5 crore in the alleged Ra 990-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam.
The agency interrogated Agarwal thoroughly but did not arrest. Agarwal, who was then serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) PHED, was transferred after the BJP government formed to a less important position of Director General Indira Gandhi Panchayatiraj Sansthan.
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