Court rejects ex-minister Mahesh Joshi’s plea challenging arrest in JJM scam

Jaipur: A special court dealing with Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) cases Tuesday rejected a plea filed by former Rajasthan PHED minister Mahesh Joshi, challenging the legality of his arrest in the alleged multi-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam.Special Judge Rajesh Kumar Dadiya dismissed Joshi’s application seeking release on the ground that his arrest was allegedly carried out in violation of mandatory legal procedures. “Joshi’s family members were present when he was taken into custody, and his son was informed about the arrest. His counsel had represented him during remand proceedings,” the court observed.It was argued in the petition that the grounds of arrest and remand were not properly communicated to his family or legal representatives as required under law, rendering his arrest illegal.The prosecution, however, maintained that all legal requirements had been complied with and that repeated intimation regarding the arrest and court production had been given to his son.The court accepted the prosecution’s submissions, noting that the arrest memo clearly recorded the grounds of arrest and carried Joshi’s signatures. The court consequently rejected the plea.The case pertains to the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission scam involving irregularities in the awarding and execution of contracts under the Centre’s flagship rural drinking water scheme in Rajasthan. The ACB arrested Joshi on May 7 after questioning him in connection with the investigation. He was subsequently produced before the court and remanded to ACB custody. The agency has alleged a criminal conspiracy involving public servants, contractors and middlemen in manipulating tender processes and extending undue benefits to selected firms. Several other accused, including officials, contractors and alleged intermediaries, have also been arrested during the course of the probe.Meanwhile, Joshi’s son, Rohit Joshi, has challenged the legality of his father’s detention through a habeas corpus petition before the Rajasthan High Court. The matter is scheduled for hearing Wednesday.