ED files chargesheet against Satyendar Jain in Rs 17.7 crore STP case

The Delhi BJP president, Virendra Sachdeva, welcomed the filing of a chargesheet by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against former Delhi Water Minister Satyendar Jain and ex-Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Udit Prakash. The charges relate to alleged irregularities involving over Rs 17.70 crore in the modernisation of ten sewage treatment plants (STPs) during the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

Sachdeva said the chargesheet gives renewed hope that those accused in what he called a major scam under the Kejriwal government would soon be punished. He added the case is strong, noting assets worth Rs 15.36 crore belonging to Jain and other accused have been attached and that the court has been duly informed.

Responding to the chargesheet, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP and the central government of “vindictive politics.” The party noted that previous cases filed by the ED, CBI and ACB against its leaders had failed in courts and alleged that the current case is false and politically motivated.

AAP pointed out that the ED’s own statement indicates the matter pertains to October 2022, even though Satyendar Jain had been arrested in May 2022 and was a Minister without portfolio at the time. “The BJP knows in its heart that its only real challenge from the opposition is the AAP. AAP will fight these cases in the courts and will emerge victorious,” the party said.