Former IAS Officer Subodh Agarwal Faces Travel Ban in Jal Jeevan Mission Corruption Case
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has escalated its investigation into the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam by issuing a Look Out Circular (LOC) against former IAS officer Subodh Agarwal. This development comes as authorities intensify their probe into widespread corruption allegations surrounding the central government's flagship water supply initiative.
ACB Confirms LOC Issuance Against Retired Bureaucrat
ACB Director General Govind Gupta confirmed on Wednesday that the bureau has formally issued the LOC against Agarwal, a 1988-batch officer who retired on December 31, 2025. The Look Out Circular serves as an alert mechanism designed to prevent individuals under investigation from leaving the country through airports and border checkposts.
While the LOC does not function as an arrest warrant, it represents a significant precautionary measure to ensure that accused individuals remain within national boundaries while investigations remain active. Authorities at all international exit points have been instructed to stop Agarwal if he attempts to travel abroad and immediately notify relevant investigative agencies.
Immediate Context: Recent Arrests and Coordinated Raids
The ACB's action follows closely on the heels of Tuesday's dramatic developments, when bureau officials arrested nine officials from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). This group included six serving senior officers and three retired engineers, all allegedly connected to the same corruption case.
During coordinated raids conducted simultaneously across Rajasthan and New Delhi, ACB teams visited Agarwal's residence but were unable to locate the former bureaucrat. This unsuccessful attempt to make contact directly prompted the bureau to request the issuance of the Look Out Circular through proper channels.
Agarwal's Career Trajectory and Investigation Timeline
Subodh Agarwal retired as chairman and managing director of the Rajasthan Financial Corporation, having previously served as the additional chief secretary of PHED—the very department now under intense scrutiny. The corruption investigation gained momentum just before his retirement in December of last year, when the state government approved an extensive probe into the alleged scam.
Subsequently, the ACB established a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the matter thoroughly. Over nearly two months, the SIT meticulously reviewed related documents and conducted comprehensive technical analyses before executing Tuesday's coordinated raids across multiple locations.
Alleged Irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission Implementation
The ACB alleges that irregularities in awarding tenders under the central government's Jal Jeevan Mission—an ambitious initiative aimed at providing tap water connections to rural households—were extensive and systematic. Investigators claim that several companies, including Ganpati Tubewell Company and Shyam Tubewell Company, submitted forged work completion certificates to secure contracts collectively valued at nearly Rs 960 crore.
Furthermore, the bureau accuses senior PHED officials of conspiring with these private entities through multiple improper actions:
- Modifying tender conditions in violation of established procedures
- Inserting a mandatory site visit requirement specifically for projects exceeding Rs 50 crore
- Exposing identities of competing bidders, thereby facilitating collusion
- Approving inflated premiums that ultimately benefited private contractors
These alleged violations of norms and procedures created an environment where competitive bidding was compromised, resulting in significant financial losses to the public exchequer while undermining the implementation of a critical national mission.
