Besides Jain and Rai, the arrested individuals include former DJB contractual consultant Ankit Srivastava, Nagendra Yadav, proprietor of M/s AN Enterprises, Raja Kumar Kurra, owner of M/s Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd., and Pankaj Verma, proprietor of M/s Srijanhar. The agency has alleged that the firms and individuals were involved in activities connected with the tender process.
The ACB said the six accused were questioned after investigators examined material collected during the probe before their arrests.
According to the agency, a proposed pilot study for the STP upgradation project was not conducted. Investigators also alleged that restrictive conditions concerning technology and treatment media were incorporated into the tender, potentially limiting competition.
The ACB has alleged that some technical specifications favoured Euroteck Environment Pvt. Ltd., which was identified as the technology provider involved in the project. Investigators further claimed that important parameters related to treated effluent were initially omitted and that technical specifications were subsequently changed, creating financial implications for the government.
The agency has also examined communications between public officials and representatives of private entities. According to the ACB, electronic evidence allegedly included exchanges involving tender conditions, corrigendums and other project documents. Investigators claim that some of this material was subsequently reflected in tenders issued by the DJB.
The financial transactions form another major part of the investigation. The ACB alleges that commission or bribe payments were routed through intermediary entities, including M/s Srijanhar and M/s AN Enterprises.
According to the agency, money originating from entities connected with Euroteck was transferred to the proprietorship concern of Nagendra Yadav. The ACB has alleged that subsequent transactions resulted in funds reaching government officials, including former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai and members of his family.
The agency has specifically alleged that Rai received ₹1.52 crore in accounts held by him and his relatives through M/s AN Enterprises. Investigators further claim that some of the money was subsequently used to purchase immovable property.
The ACB has also examined alleged communications among Raja Kumar Kurra, Nagendra Yadav and Ankit Srivastava relating to meetings, tender conditions and project documents. The agency believes the material gathered so far indicates that certain tender provisions were allegedly introduced or modified in a way that benefited a particular technology provider.
However, the allegations remain part of an ongoing criminal investigation and have not been established in court. Arrest does not by itself establish guilt, and the accused will have the opportunity to contest the allegations through the legal process.
The arrests mark a significant development in the ACB’s investigation into alleged irregularities in the DJB’s STP projects. However, the allegations are yet to be established before a court, and the accused remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. The agency said further investigation is underway to establish the complete money trail, determine the alleged roles of those involved and ascertain the extent of any financial loss to the government.