Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its verdict on the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain in the alleged STP tender scam case related to Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The court can now give its verdict on September 3. The bail plea of Satyendar Jain, arrested in this case, was heard in the court. After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court reserved its order. When Satyendra Jain came out after completion of the hearing in the court, he said 'Satyamev Jayate' in front of the media.
Delhi's Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) has taken major action in the case of alleged corruption in the tender process of DJB's Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) project. The investigating agency has arrested a total of 6 people including former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain. Former DJB CEO and IAS officer Udit Prakash Rai is also among the arrested accused. Apart from this, former board advisor Ankit Srivastava has also been arrested. The other accused arrested in the case have been identified as Nagendra Yadav, Raja Kumar Kurra and Pankaj Verma. The ACB action is related to alleged irregularities and allegations of corruption in the tender process of the STP project. The investigating agency is probing the tender process, the role of officials associated with it and other accused in the case.
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court heard the arguments on the bail application of former minister Satyendra Jain in the alleged STP tender scam case of DJB. After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court reserved its order on Jain's bail plea till September 3. Apart from Jain, other accused arrested in the case Pankaj Verma, Udit Prakash Rai and Raj Kumar Kurra were also present in the court during the hearing.
Udit Prakash Rai's appeal to appear before VC approved
During the hearing, former DJB CEO and IAS officer Udit Prakash Rai sought permission to appear in the court on September 3 through video conferencing. In his appeal, he cited health related problems and said that he is afraid of claustrophobia i.e. closed spaces. The court accepted his appeal. In such a situation, on September 3, when the court will give its order on the bail plea in this case, Udit Prakash Rai will be able to appear through video conferencing.
What arguments did the defense give in the court?
During the hearing of Satyendar Jain's bail plea in the alleged DJB STP tender scam case, his lawyers raised questions on the need for arrest. Senior advocate N. Hariharan and advocate Vivek Jain presented arguments on behalf of Jain before the court. Senior advocate N. Hariharan argued that the ACB arrested Satyendar Jain, about 27 months after the FIR was registered in May 2024. He said there was no need for arrest as Jain always cooperated during the investigation. The defense also claimed that the ACB had registered the FIR based on information received from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The lawyers told the court that in the money laundering case, Satyendar Jain had no connection with the proceeds of the alleged crime.
During the hearing on the bail application of Satyendar Jain, the defense also presented its arguments regarding the decision to increase the capacity of STP. Senior advocate N. Hariharan told the court that a decision had been taken to increase the capacity of the STP from 15 MGD to 25 MGD. According to him, this decision was taken on the basis of the recommendation of the technical committee. He informed that the peak capacity of STP was 30 MGD.
'This decision is related to policy'
Hariharan argued that the case pertains to policy decisions and courts are not generally expected to interfere in policy matters. He said that if the court considers necessary, it can impose some conditions to ensure the presence of the accused. The defense also said that Satyendar Jain is not a flight risk, hence he should be granted bail. The senior lawyer also argued in the court that no accused had been arrested in the ED case. On the basis of all these arguments, the defense demanded that Satyendar Jain be granted bail.
The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) opposed the bail application of Satyendar Jain in the alleged DJB STP tender scam case. Government lawyer Manish Rawat, appearing for the ACB, argued in the court that the investigation of the case is still in the initial stage and this aspect should be kept in mind while taking the decision on bail. ACB also alleged that Satyendar Jain did not cooperate during the investigation. The government lawyer said that the investigation is still going on and there is enough evidence against the accused.
Defense side said- investigation going on from May 2024
At the same time, senior advocate N. appearing on behalf of Satyendra Jain. Hariharan opposed ACB's argument. He said that the information given in the court by the investigating officer mainly related to policy related decisions. Hariharan also claimed that the documents the ACB was citing were obtained from the ED. He also raised questions on the investigation being described as being in the initial stage and said that this investigation is going on from May 2024, hence it cannot be called an initial stage investigation.
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