The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has initiated legal action against former Public Works Department (PWD) minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain over alleged corruption in a ₹571 crore CCTV installation project. The case revolves around arbitrarily waiving liquidated damages worth ₹16 crore imposed on Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for project delays. The ACB alleges that this waiver was granted after receiving a ₹7 crore bribe.

Corruption Allegations Against Satyendar Jain

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Madhur Verma, the FIR was registered after obtaining sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation suggests that the project’s mismanagement led to financial irregularities and undue benefits to BEL, raising concerns about transparency in government contracts.

Delhi Schools Construction Scam Worth ₹2000 Crore

The corruption allegations against AAP’s Satyendar Jain extend beyond the CCTV project. A separate scam related to Delhi government school construction was flagged by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in its February 17, 2020 report. The report exposed inflated costs and irregularities in building 12,748 classrooms, with expenditures reaching ₹2,892.65 crore.

Key Findings of the Scam:

• The construction cost was ₹8,800 per square foot, while the market rate was ₹1,500 per square foot.

• The cost per classroom was ₹24.86 lakh, whereas similar classrooms could be built for ₹5 lakh.

• The total project cost ballooned to ₹2,892.65 crore, allegedly five times higher than necessary.

The allegations suggest that public funds were siphoned off in the guise of infrastructure development, raising serious concerns over financial mismanagement in the Delhi government.

Political Implications and Reactions

The BJP has strongly criticized AAP, calling it a major corruption scandal and demanding strict action against those involved. BJP leaders Harish Khurana and Kapil Mishra, who had previously raised concerns, have urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, the AAP leadership has denied any wrongdoing, calling it a politically motivated move to discredit the party ahead of elections. The case is likely to have major political ramifications in Delhi, affecting public trust in governance.

What’s Next?

The ACB is set to further investigate the financial transactions and irregularities related to both the CCTV project and school construction scam. If the allegations are proven, it could result in legal consequences for Satyendar Jain and other officials involved.

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