Rajasthan JJM Scam: Mahesh Joshi arrested, ACB takes major action in Rs 900 crore tender scam

By Samira Vishwas On May 7, 2026

Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday took a major action in the huge scam of more than Rs 900 crore in Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Under this action, Mahesh Joshi, a senior leader of the Congress Party and a cabinet minister in the previous government of Ashok Gehlot, has been arrested. ACB’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) raided Mahesh Joshi’s house in ‘Sun Colony’ located near Jaipur Railway Station early in the morning.

After being interrogated there, he was arrested at around 5 in the morning. Earlier in April 2025, ED had also detained Mahesh Joshi in the money laundering case of the same scam. Joshi had to stay in jail for seven months. Later, the Supreme Court granted him bail on 3 December 2025 last year. Now ACB has arrested him again.

What is the whole matter?

Jal Jeevan Mission is a big scheme of the Central Government, whose main objective is to provide pure tap water to every village and every house. Many tenders were issued in Rajasthan under this scheme. Investigating agencies allege that major irregularities were made in these tenders. By taking bribes, work was given to some favored companies without proper procedure. The main allegation is that two companies named Ganpati Tubewell and Shyam Tubewell won the tender by submitting fake experience certificates. Fake documents were given to these companies in the name of IRCON International.

Contract worth Rs 859.2 crore to Ganpati Tubewell
Tender worth Rs 120.25 crore to Shyam Tubewell

In this way, there is an allegation of a total scam of more than Rs 900 crore.

#WATCH | Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrests former Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi at his residence in connection with the alleged Rs 900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam.Following his arrest, the ACB produced him before a court and sought a 5-day remand. pic.twitter.com/frKSPbyKtV
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2026

How many people are accused?

ACB had registered an FIR against a total of 22 people in this scam in the year 2024. These also include former Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Aggarwal, who has been arrested earlier. So far 10 people have been arrested in this case. The accused list includes many senior officials like JJM’s financial advisor Sunil Sharma, Chief Engineer, Supertrending Engineer and Executive Engineer.

what up to

At present three accused are still absconding. ACB has declared him a fugitive. Information about their properties has been collected and presented in the court. Now the process of confiscating their property is about to begin. This scam is considered to be the biggest case till date regarding Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme in Rajasthan. ACB investigation is still going on and more arrests may be made.