Former Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi was arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police in connection with a ₹960 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. The arrest stems from allegations of irregularities in awarding contracts for the JJM, a government initiative to provide tap water connections to rural households.
Investigations revealed that contracts were awarded to ineligible companies, and significant financial irregularities occurred during the tendering and execution processes. Joshi, who was the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister during the alleged scam period (2021-2022), is accused of facilitating these irregularities.
The SOG has already arrested several individuals, including former PHED secretary Naveen Mahajan and other officials, in connection with the case. Evidence suggests a deliberate attempt to bypass established norms and procedures to favour specific contractors. The scam involved manipulating bid qualifications and inflating project costs.
Police allege Joshi was aware of the ineligible companies being awarded contracts and actively supported the process. Documents seized during raids indicate his involvement in influencing decisions related to the JJM projects. The SOG is focusing on tracing the flow of funds and identifying the beneficiaries of the alleged scam.
The arrest follows a prolonged investigation initiated after complaints regarding discrepancies in the implementation of the JJM in various districts of Rajasthan. The SOG has conducted multiple raids across the state, seizing incriminating documents and electronic devices.
Joshi’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, and authorities are expected to further probe his role and the extent of his involvement in the alleged financial irregularities. The case highlights concerns about corruption and misuse of public funds in the implementation of crucial government schemes. Further investigations are underway to identify all individuals involved and recover the misappropriated funds.
