In a major breakthrough in the ₹960-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal on Thursday. Agarwal, who served as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), had been on the run for several weeks before being apprehended in New Delhi.High-Profile Arrest After Nationwide RaidsThe arrest follows an intense pursuit by the ACB, which saw raids across more than 100 locations in 21 cities, including Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. A special ACB court had recently issued a standing warrant against Agarwal after he failed to join the investigation. Fearing he might flee the country, authorities had also issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against him earlier this year.The Magnitude of the ₹960-Crore Graft CaseThe JJM scam involves massive irregularities in the execution of the central government’s flagship drinking water project in Rajasthan. Investigations revealed that:Fake Experience Certificates: Contractors allegedly submitted forged documents to bag high-value tenders.Substandard Material: Use of inferior quality pipes and equipment was reported across various districts.Financial Fraud: Nearly ₹960 crore of public funds were reportedly siphoned off through manipulated billing and bribery.ACB Targets Key Masterminds and Property AttachmentWith Agarwal’s arrest, the total number of individuals held in this case has reached ten. However, three other key accused remain at large. ACB officials have stated that they are now initiating the process to attach the properties of the absconding individuals. The bureau is also investigating the role of several other senior engineers and political figures who were active during the previous government's tenure.Political Storm Over 'Jungle Raj' and CorruptionThe arrest of a high-ranking retired bureaucrat has ignited a fresh political battle in Rajasthan. While the current administration maintains that it is fulfilling its promise of a "corruption-free state," the opposition has often labeled such actions as politically motivated. Regardless of the political narrative, the focus remains on recovering the misappropriated funds meant for providing tap water to rural households.
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