Centre gives CBI permission to prosecute Delhi minister Satyendar Jain

The Centre has permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain in a case related to allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, said officials Thursday.

"It has been alleged that the minister, while functioning as a public servant, has amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the extent of Rs 1.62 crore (approx) during the period of February 14, 2015 to May 31, 2017. His wife and associates allegedly abetted the commission of the offence," a CBI spokesperson had said after the FIR last year.

The CBI has alleged that Jain purchased 200 bighas of agricultural land in the names of companies controlled by him in Delhi during last five years and "laundered black money" to the tune of several crore of rupees.

A top central government official said the home ministry has "granted sanction of prosecution to prosecute Satyendra Kumar Jain, Minister in Government of NCT of Delhi, in a case registered by CBI in August 24, 2017 for acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income".

The case was registered against Jain, his wife Poonam, his alleged associates -- Ajeet Prasad Jain, Vaibhav Jain, Sunil Kumar Jain and Ankush Jain.

  

Four companies--Prayas Info Solutions, Akinchan Developers, Managalyatan Projects and Indo Metal Impex Pvt Limited--were also named in the FIR.

The CBI said during the enquiry, it was found that the minister and his associates were allegedly involved in money laundering to the tune of Rs 4.63 crore during 2015-16 through shell companies based in Delhi.

"This apart, before becoming public servant, he was allegedly involved in laundering of Rs 11.78 crore during the years 2010-12 through these companies as well as other companies also based in New Delhi," it said.

The CBI has alleged that the minister had control over these companies either in the form of being one of the directors and by holding one-third of shares of the companies in his name or in the names of his family members/others, another official said.

The Centre’s decision is set to deteriorate the already strain relations between the Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the BJP-led central government. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted strongly to the development claiming the case was registered against Jain as he was working for the regularisation of city's unauthorised colonies.