Delhi minister Satyendar Jain grilled in money laundering case

The CBI on Thursday questioned Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on charges of laundering Rs 16.41 crore through four companies he was associated with.

In April, the CBI had initiated a preliminary enquiry against Jain, which the Delhi government termed "politically motivated". The government described it as a "defamatory, malicious and desperate" attempt to malign Jain's image ahead of the civil polls on April 23.

Sources said Jain reached the CBI headquarters at 11 am. He may be summoned again if the need arises, they said.

According to CBI, the minister had laundered Rs 11.78 crore in 2010-12 through Prayas Info Solutions Pvt Ltd, Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, Managalyatan Projects Pvt Ltd and Indometal Impex Pvt Ltd. He also reportedly laundered Rs 4.63 crore through these companies while being a public



servant during 2015-16. 

CBI officials claimed that Jain used this money to purchase agricultural land worth Rs 27.69 crore in Delhi in the name of companies controlled by him. He is also accused of misusing his official position to try and convert the agricultural land for residential purposes.

The CBI enquiry was based on a reference from the income tax department, which is probing the matter under the new benami prohibition law. Jain denied the charges when income tax officials attached properties linked to him last month.

Ahead of the 2013 Assembly election, Jain had resigned as director of these firms, but still controlled their operations, investigators claimed. The minister, for his part, described the preliminary enquiry as a move to frame him and derail health reforms in the capital.