Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday approved an investigation against jailed former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain under the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act 1998, in a bribery case. The former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain is accused of receiving a bribe of Rs 7 crore from Bharat Electronics Limited officials.
Jain had allegedly taken the bribe in connection with a Rs 571 crore project for the installation of CCTVs in 70 Assembly constituencies. He had waived the penalty of Rs 16 crore imposed on BEL.
"LG agreed with the proposal of DoV to refer the matter under Section 17 A of the PoC Act, 1998 to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for approving an investigation against Jain by ACB," Delhi Lt Governor's office stated in an official statement.
Reacting to the recent development, AAP leader Atishi lashed out at the BJP saying, "BJP is engaged in conspiracy against the Delhi government day and night. More than 200 cases were filed against Aam Aadmi Party leaders in 10 years. But to date, not a single rupee of corruption has been recovered from anywhere."
"Now this is another fake case. BJP wants to paralyze the Delhi government," she added.
LG Sanctions CBI Probe Against Jain Over Extortion Allegations
Earlier this year, LG sanctioned a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation under the PoC Act against Jain to investigate in connection with the extortion charges against him.
CBI, in November last year, had accused the AAP leader of running a high-profile extortion racket from Tihar jail, where he is currently lodged, facing money laundering charges.
Jain had allegedly demanded Rs 10 crore as "protection money" from inmate Sukash Chandrashekhar, in exchange of a peaceful and comfortable time in jail, CBI told LG Saxena. The matter was thereafter referred to Ministry of Home Affairs that gave a nod to probe it.
"The vindictive and vendetta-filled politics of BJP has now reached a new low that a notorious conman's word is believed and accepted as the gospel truth against a person who gave the world Delhi's famous Mohalla Clinic concept,” AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, condemning the move.
CBI had flagged the extortion allegations against Jain following a complaint from Chandrashekar, who is also incarcerated for money laundering. He had alleged that Jain extorted Rs 10 from him between 2018 and 2021, both through his aides and himself.
In February, 2024, LG had also sanctioned another CBI inquiry against the then superintendent of Tihar, Raj Kumar, for extorting money at the behest of former DG of Tihar and Satyendar Jain.