In connection with the alleged Rs 960 crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam in Rajasthan, retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal was sent to 14 days of judicial custody by an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court on Wednesday. ACB had requested an extension of Agarwal’s police custody for further questioning, however after hearing the plea of Agarwal and both parties, the court sent Agarwal to judicial custody and declined the agency’s request for questioning. Concerned over his safety, Agarwal requested the court to keep him in a separate cell during that period.
Allegation of non-cooperation
During the court hearing, the ACB alleged that Agarwal did not cooperate in the questioning. He challenged this, asserting, “You say I did not respond to your questions—please specify which ones,” and maintained that he answered every question asked. Around 100 questions were asked Agarwal around 100 questions over several days. According to Agarwal, he answered all the questions and cooperated in the investigation. While being taken to the court, Agarwal said, “I have answered every question asked.”
Agarwal called the scrutiny selective, noting that there are 37 total cases with the Finance Committee from his tenure. Of those 37 cases, four were from his period, while the others, amounting to Rs 600 crore, were from his predecessor’s tenure. “Authorities are focusing on cases where no money was taken, while overlooking those involving actual financial irregularities,” Agarwal noted.
