पूर्व राजस्थान PHED मंत्री Mahesh Joshi को ₹960‑करोड़ Jal Jeevan Mission घोटाले में गिरफ्तार किया गया

<h3>Overview</h3> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Anti-Corruption Bureau — Rajasthan's state agency tasked with investigating corruption cases, especially involving public officials (GS2: Polity)">Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)</span> on 7 May 2026 arrested former minister <strong>Mahesh Joshi</strong> from his Jaipur residence. The arrest is linked to an alleged <strong>₹960‑crore</strong> scam in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Jal Jeevan Mission — Central government scheme aimed at providing safe drinking water to every rural household (GS3: Economy)">Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)</span>. Joshi, who served as the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Public Health Engineering Department — State department responsible for water supply, sanitation and related infrastructure (GS2: Polity)">Public Health Engineering Department (PHED)</span> minister in the previous Congress government, was taken into custody by the ACB's <span class="key-term" data-definition="Special Investigation Team — A team of investigators formed to probe specific cases, often comprising senior officers (GS2: Polity)">Special Investigation Team (SIT)</span>.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Arrest made early morning (≈5 a.m.) at Joshi’s residence in San Colony, near Jaipur Railway Station.</li> <li>Joshi was produced before a court and remanded to police custody till 11 May 2026.</li> <li>He had earlier been arrested by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Enforcement Directorate — Central agency that investigates money‑laundering and foreign exchange violations (GS3: Economy)">Enforcement Directorate (ED)</span> in April 2025 and released on bail by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court — Apex judicial body of India, final interpreter of the Constitution (GS3: Governance)">Supreme Court</span> in December 2025.</li> <li>ACB alleges Joshi misused his ministerial position to accept bribes for awarding tenders.</li> <li>Two firms allegedly secured contracts worth around ₹960 crore using forged completion certificates purportedly issued by <span class="key-term" data-definition="IRCON International Ltd — State‑owned engineering and construction company, often involved in large‑scale infrastructure projects (GS2: Polity)">IRCON International Ltd</span>.</li> <li>Eleven accused, including retired IAS officer <strong>Subodh Agarwal</strong>, have been arrested; three remain absconding, and five have been granted protection from arrest by the Rajasthan High Court.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The FIR registered in late 2024 names Joshi, former additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal, several engineers, contractors and private individuals. The investigation claims a conspiracy to manipulate tender awards, leading to a massive loss for the state exchequer. Joshi, while being taken to the courtroom, protested that the ACB had not served any notice and called the action “cruel”, citing his personal loss – his wife Kau