Sources say that companies controlled by Jain received Rs 16.39 cr from shell firms
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday for an alleged corruption case. The minister is accused of money laundering around Rs 17 crore through shell companies and then using that money to buy agricultural land in Delhi. Sources say that this was done in a bid to gain financial benefits from the rise in land prices.
"Jain arrived at the agency headquarters around 11 in the morning and left at 7 pm," CBI sources said.
Earlier, the agency had registered a preliminary inquiry against Jain in the matter. A preliminary enquiry is the first step by the CBI to gather information about the allegations. The agency had then said that they would question Jain again on the matter.
The modus operandi was such. Agency sources said that companies controlled by Jain had received Rs 16.39 crore from 56 shell firms belonging to three hawala operators – Jivendra Mishra, Abhishek Chokhani and Rajendra Bansal. All of the three hawala operators were based in Kolkata.
These sources added that a scrutiny of the IT returns of four companies — Indo Metal Impex Pvt Ltd, Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, Mangalyaatan Projects Pvt Ltd and Paryas Infosolutions Pvt Ltd — all owned by Jain, revealed that money-laundering had been happening in these companies since 2010.
The minister, who is a close confidante of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has maintained that he had nothing to do with the hawala operators.
The role of the minister first came to light during the interrogation of two hawala operators — Mishra and Bansal. On January 6 this year, DNA carried an exclusive report on the alleged illegal transactions of the minister. The report was filed on the basis of the status report filed by the I-T department and submitted to the CBI for further investigation.
As per the IT status report: "Mishra disposed that accommodation entries were provided to Indo Metal Impex Pvt Ltd, Paryas Infosolutions, Mangalyaatan Projects and Akinchan Developers during 2011-2012 through his shell companies. Thereafter, further inquiries were conducted by the Kolkata investigation wing, wherein a statement of Mishra was recorded on August 29."
IT officials also maintained that in the statement of Mishra, he said he was introduced to Satyendra Jain by his friend Raju Bansal. I-T officials maintain that during interrogation, Bansal had told them that he had met Jain at the office of JP Mohta and Associates in 2010.
Bansal was said to have told officials that the cash was transferred from Delhi to Kolkata through hawala operators and JP Mohta, on behalf of Jain, used to give instructions over phone about the cash transfer. He (Bansal) also alleged that the cash transactions and accommodation entries were done under direct supervision and instructions of Jain.
Finally, the I-T department also revealed that the Delhi government minister through these maze of companies, directly and indirectly owned, purchased huge tract of agriculture land, approximately 200 bighas. This land was said to be converted into commercial and residential land by the minister which would provide huge returns on investment.
Analysis
The alleged dubious deals of the minister are proving to be a major embarrassment for AAP and have sullied its image as a party with a difference. Jain may emerge clean but the political cost is already high for the party which is struggling to recoup post the Delhi civic polls debacle
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