The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a preliminary enquiry against Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain for allegedly laundering Rs 16 crore, dealing a fresh blow to the AAP as it prepares for civic polls in the National Capital.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Government rejected the allegation as “politically motivated” and said that it was a “defamatory, malicious and desperate” attempt to malign Jain’s image ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections on April 23.
Jain said that it was a reward for doing work to benefit the common man in Delhi by the politicians. “I have ensured free MRIs, free surgeries…tell me which Government in India gives free medicine. If my work for the poor people has irked the politicians, let me tell them that I am not going to stop doing it. I have told the same to the Delhi CM. They are just doing it because of the upcoming civic polls,” Jain said. He also said that he was not afraid of getting arrested.
Jain was allegedly involved in laundering Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-12 through Prayas Info Solutions Pvt ltd., Akinchan Developers Pvt ltd., Managalyatan Projects Pvt. ltd. and Indometal Impex Pvt. ltd., CBI sources claimed citing the contents of the enquiry.
Jain is also alleged to have been involved in laundering Rs 4.63 crore while being a public servant during 2015-16 through three of these companies, the sources said. It is alleged that Jain used the ill-gotten money for purchasing agriculture land worth Rs 27.69 crore in Delhi in the name of companies controlled by him.
Jain as Minister in Delhi Government was allegedly using his influence in trying to convert the agriculture land into residential land. A preliminary enquiry is the first step by the CBI to gather information about the allegations. If the agency is convinced that there exists prima facie material in the matter, it may register a regular case against the accused.
The CBI has acted on a reference from the Income Tax department which was probing the matter under new benami prohibition law. The Benami Transactions Act carries a maximum punishment of up to seven years rigorous imprisonment and a hefty penalty, and violators could also stand to be charged under the Income-Tax Act, 1961. The Minister had himself dismissed the allegations after Income-Tax had last month attached properties linked to him in the matter. Although Jain had “technically” resigned as Director from these firms before 2013 assembly polls, in which the AAP made anti-corruption a major election plank, he still controlled their operations, it is alleged.