WaterSupply – Rajasthan ACB Intensifies Probe Into Alleged JJM Tender Scam
WaterSupply – Former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi was taken into custody by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday morning in connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission contracts worth nearly Rs 960 crore. Officials said the action marks a significant development in one of the state’s most closely watched corruption cases.
ACB Team Conducts Early Morning Operation
According to officials associated with the investigation, a Special Investigation Team led by ACB DIG Dr. Rameshwar Singh reached Joshi’s residence in Jaipur’s San Colony around dawn and detained him for questioning. The former Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister is accused of abusing his official authority during the allocation of major government contracts linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship Central government programme designed to provide household tap water connections across the country. Investigators claim several tender procedures connected to the project were manipulated through forged documentation and irregular approvals.
Allegations Linked to Fake Experience Certificates
Officials probing the matter allege that two private firms — Shri Ganpati Tubewell and Shri Shyam Tubewell — secured large contracts after submitting fabricated experience certificates reportedly linked to IRCON International. Investigators believe these documents were used to qualify for major infrastructure projects under the water supply scheme.
As per the findings shared by investigators, Shri Ganpati Tubewell allegedly obtained contracts valued at approximately Rs 859 crore, while Shri Shyam Tubewell is accused of securing projects worth over Rs 120 crore. Authorities suspect the contracts were awarded through fraudulent means with support from individuals within the department.
Previous ED Action Already Underway
This is not the first legal challenge faced by Joshi in relation to the case. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier arrested him in April 2025 during a money laundering investigation connected to the same tender controversy. He remained in custody for several months before receiving bail from the Supreme Court in December 2025.
The latest action by the Anti-Corruption Bureau is part of a separate corruption case and focuses specifically on alleged misuse of public office and bribery linked to the awarding of contracts. Investigators suspect that financial benefits may have been exchanged in return for facilitating approvals and tender allocations.
Senior Officials Also Under Scanner
The investigation has expanded beyond political figures and now includes several senior bureaucrats and engineering officials. Former Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal has already been arrested in the matter. Officials confirmed that FIRs have been registered against 22 individuals, including financial advisors, chief engineers and superintendent engineers associated with the department.
Investigators reportedly examined digital records and communication trails during the probe. Email exchanges and electronic documents are believed to have provided key evidence pointing toward coordination between contractors and departmental officials.
Political Controversy Grew During Assembly Polls
The issue first attracted major public attention in June 2023 when senior Rajasthan leader Kirodi Lal Meena staged a protest outside Ashok Nagar police station, demanding immediate registration of a criminal case in connection with the alleged scam. The controversy later became a major topic during the Rajasthan Assembly election campaign.
Officials involved in the probe indicated that the investigation is expected to widen further in the coming days. More arrests and detailed questioning of key accused persons may follow as agencies continue examining financial records, tender files and digital evidence connected to the case.