Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham on Wednesday commented on the arrest of retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal in connection with the alleged ₹960 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, stating that further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Addressing the media in Jaipur, Bedham emphasized that the matter is under active probe by investigating agencies and that due process is being followed. “The investigating agency will now take whatever appropriate action is necessary. This is a matter of investigation,” he said.
He explained that the decision to detain Agarwal was taken based on the requirements of the investigation. “During the investigation, they determined it necessary to detain Subodh Agarwal, and he has been,” the minister added, underlining that the case is still evolving.
The alleged scam pertains to the Jal Jeevan Mission, a central government initiative aimed at providing piped drinking water to rural households. The case has triggered political reactions in the state, with the ruling side targeting the previous government led by Ashok Gehlot.
Bedham alleged that irregularities occurred during the tenure of the previous administration. “A scam worth crores of rupees occurred during their time. That’s why their ministers at the time went to jail,” he claimed, linking the case to earlier arrests and investigations.
He further stated that multiple officials have already faced action in connection with the case. “Many engineers have also gone to jail. The senior chief engineer has been jailed, and all the officers responsible are under investigation,” Bedham said, indicating the scale of the probe.
Reiterating the government’s stance, he stressed that accountability will be ensured. “Whoever is found guilty will face action,” he said, adding that the investigation is being carried out independently by the concerned agencies.
The opposition has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest developments. However, the case is expected to remain a key political issue in Rajasthan, with both sides likely to trade charges over accountability and governance.
The arrest of Subodh Agarwal marks a significant step in the ongoing probe into the alleged JJM scam, as authorities continue to investigate the extent of irregularities and identify those responsible.
