The project, initiated during Jain's tenure as PWD minister, aimed to install 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across all 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi. However, the implementation faced significant delays, leading to the imposition of liquidated damages amounting to ₹16 crore on BEL. It is alleged that Jain, in his official capacity, waived these penalties after receiving a ₹7-crore bribe through contractors associated with the project.
Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma stated that the FIR was registered after obtaining prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the competent authority. The ACB's investigation included the examination of a BEL officer familiar with the case, whose testimony corroborated the allegations and provided a detailed complaint.
The ACB's case is built on the statement of "an officer of the BEL, well-versed with the facts of the case whose examination supported these allegations".
The ACB has filed the FIR under Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code . The agency is expected to seek Jain's custodial interrogation to further investigate the alleged conspiracy.
This development has sparked a political tussle between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party . Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused the previous AAP government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, of covering up the corruption case for years. He alleged that the ACB completed its investigation in 2023, but the FIR was delayed due to AAP's cover-up act.
In response, AAP leaders have dismissed the allegations as a political witch-hunt. Senior AAP leader Atishi termed the FIR against Jain as a desperate attempt by the BJP to malign AAP leaders. She highlighted that out of 193 cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate against political leaders in the past 10 years, only two had resulted in convictions, suggesting a pattern of targeting opposition leaders without substantial evidence.
This is not the first time Jain has faced legal challenges. In May 2022, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on allegations of money laundering and has been in custody since. He resigned from his ministerial portfolios in February 2023.
The ₹571-crore CCTV project was a flagship initiative of the AAP government, aimed at enhancing women's safety and overall security in the capital. However, the project has been marred by allegations of irregularities and delays. Multiple complaints have suggested that the project was executed in a shoddy manner, with several cameras found to be non-functional at the time of handover.
The ACB's investigation into the alleged corruption in the CCTV project adds to the series of legal troubles faced by AAP leaders in recent years. The party has consistently denied any wrongdoing, attributing the cases to political vendettas aimed at undermining its governance model.
As the investigation progresses, the focus will be on gathering concrete evidence to substantiate the allegations against Jain. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the political landscape in Delhi, especially with the BJP currently in power in the capital.
The ACB's move to file an FIR against a former minister underscores the agency's commitment to addressing corruption allegations, irrespective of the individuals involved. It also highlights the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining transparency and accountability in large-scale public projects.
The political ramifications of this case are yet to unfold fully. Both AAP and BJP are likely to leverage the situation to their advantage, with AAP positioning itself as a victim of political persecution and BJP emphasizing its stance against corruption.