Satyendar Jain granted bail in Delhi Jal Board corruption case

A Delhi court has granted bail to Satyendar Jain, a former minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in a corruption case involving the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The case concerns alleged irregularities, tender manipulation, and criminal conspiracy related to the upgradation of sewage treatment plants (STPs).

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh. The court noted that the evidence presented by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) was “prima facie insufficient” to deny relief and observed that there was no electronic evidence, such as WhatsApp chats or call records, directly linking Jain to kickbacks.

The judge also criticized the ACB for what it termed an “arbitrary” arrest, noting an unexplained 27-month delay between the registration of the FIR in May 2024 and Jain's arrest in August. The court stated that pre-trial detention should not serve as a form of punitive punishment, especially since Jain was not considered a flight risk.

Following the decision, AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for truth and accusing the central government of using investigative agencies for political purposes.