The Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its decision on former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain’s bail application in the alleged Delhi Jal Board sewage treatment plant (STP) tender scam. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh is expected to pronounce the order on September 3.

Jain’s Defence

Jain appeared before the court along with co-accused Pankaj Verma, Udit Prakash Rai and Raj Kumar Kurra. Representing Jain, Senior Advocate N. Hariharan argued that the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arrested him 27 months after the FIR was registered in May 2024.

The defence claimed Jain had cooperated with investigators and argued that there was no justification for his arrest. Hariharan also maintained that Jain had no connection with the alleged proceeds of crime referred to in a related money-laundering investigation.

Dispute Over Rohini STP

The defence focused on technical changes made to the Rohini STP project. Jain’s counsel said the decision to increase the plant’s capacity from 15 million gallons per day (MGD) to 25 MGD was based on recommendations from a technical committee, with a peak capacity of 30 MGD.

The lawyer argued that the matter involved policy decisions and that Jain was neither a flight risk nor likely to evade the proceedings.

ACB Opposes Bail

The ACB opposed the bail plea, with Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat arguing that the investigation was still at an important stage. He alleged that Jain had not cooperated with the probe and said investigators had evidence against him.

Jain’s counsel disputed the ACB’s position, arguing that the investigation had been underway since May 2024 and could not be described as being in its initial stage.

Accused Remain in Judicial Custody

Jain and five others have been arrested in the alleged STP tender case and remain in judicial custody until September 3. According to the investigation, Jain allegedly approved changes to the Rohini STP’s technical proposal, leading to substantial cost increases that investigators claim lacked adequate technical justification.

The court is now set to decide Jain’s bail plea on September 3.

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