CBI files charge sheet against Jain, wife

NEWDELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said it had filed a charge sheet against Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, his wife Poonam Jain and four other alleged business associates on the charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

“The charge sheet was filed in a Patiala House special CBI court,” said CBI spokesman RK Gaur. The central agency has charged Jain of amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of ₹1.47 crore.

The Delhi government accused CBI of targeting AAP leaders at the behest of BJP. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reiterated his earlier comment, alleging Jain was targeted because he was attempting to regularise unauthorised colonies. “Satyendar Jain is being targeted for trying to regularise unauthorised colonies in Delhi. People living in these colonies will give a reply to Modiji in 2019,” he tweeted.

Commenting on the development, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said, “We should respect the law. The charge sheet has been filed as the investigating agency would have found something. They are politicizing an investigation. He should resign

as he doesn’t have the moral authority to continue.”

The CBI said a case against Jain and other co-accused was registered on August 24, 2017 to probe allegations of acquisition of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during the check period of February 14, 2015 and May 31, 2017. Searches were also conducted at the premises of accused which led to recovery of certain incriminating documents. “Investigation has revealed that the said minister and his family members allegedly controlled or have stake or share holding in the four companies

based at Delhi. He was director in three companies and resigned from the directorship of these companies before the election in 2013. His family members, however, continued to hold shares to all these four companies,” said the agency in a statement.

While Jain was not available for a comment on Monday, he had earlier termed the CBI probe an act to “hound” him deliberately.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also commented. “One day CBI will find who within the agency was making the officials target AAP leaders on BJP’S behest.”