The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Jaipur Zonal Office, has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the Jal Jeewan Mission (JJM) case by apprehending Piyush Jain under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Jain’s arrest, made on 29th February 2024, comes following allegations of bribery and fraud concerning tenders awarded by the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED).
The Hon’ble Special Court in Jaipur has granted a four-day ED custody of Piyush Jain, signifying the seriousness of the charges leveled against him. The ED’s inquiry was prompted by an FIR lodged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jaipur, which implicated Jain, along with others, in corrupt practices aimed at obtaining tenders and concealing irregularities in JJM-related contracts.
According to ED’s findings, contractors Padamchand Jain and Mahesh Mittal allegedly secured tenders through the use of counterfeit work completion certificates from M/s IRCON and by bribing senior PHED officials. Additionally, middlemen and property dealers were purportedly involved in facilitating the siphoning off of illicit funds from the JJM scam.
Further investigation revealed that Piyush Jain, while overseeing the affairs of the accused firms, was also a beneficiary of the ill-gotten gains, amounting to approximately Rs. 3.5 crore. Analysis of Jain’s mobile records exposed his attempts to influence PHED officials. Despite multiple summons, Jain failed to cooperate with the investigation, raising suspicions regarding his involvement in the money laundering scheme.
The ED’s diligent efforts have led to significant progress in the case, with searches conducted at over 70 locations resulting in the seizure of assets totaling Rs. 11.03 crore, including gold and silver valued at Rs. 6.50 crore. As the investigation unfolds, the ED remains committed to uncovering the full extent of the alleged malfeasance and bringing those responsible to justice.
