Delhi minister Jain faces CBI probe

CBI registered on Tuesday a preliminary enquiry (PE) to look into accusations of money laundering by Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain, the latest blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that has been hit by charges of corruption.

The enquiry was registered to look into allegations that the AAP leader, already battling accusations of nepotism, laundered ₹4 crore through a web of shell companies, officials in the Central Bureau of Investigation told HT.

The development comes barely days before elections to the Municipal Corporations of Delhi and could give the BJP and Congress chance to target the AAP.

Jain, however, rejected the allegations, terming the CBI’s PE as ‘politically motivated” ahead of the elections.

“The Delhi government has started providing healthcare free of cost to all Delhi citizens. It has affected the politicians and pressure groups. No other government in the country provides free medicines and free diagnostic tests, irrespective of the cost. So all this is expected,” he added.

Jain controlled three private companies and was allegedly using them to launder money since 2010, Income Tax department documents state.

He had quit positions in these companies but continued to control them and even bought agricultural land through the illicit money routed through these firms, CBI sources said.

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