President Droupadi Murmu has granted approval to Delhi's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to initiate a formal probe against former Delhi ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.
The action, taken under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, pertains to alleged irregularities in the construction of classrooms and school buildings by the Delhi government.
Sisodia previously held the portfolio of Delhi’s education minister, while Jain served as the public works department (PWD) minister.
The case revolves around the findings of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which in a 2020 report flagged major discrepancies in the construction of over 2,400 classrooms in government schools under the PWD.
The Delhi vigilance department had recommended a formal investigation into the matter in 2022.
Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was introduced in 2018, mandating prior government approval before initiating inquiries or investigations into corruption cases involving public officials.
With the President’s sanction now in place, the ACB can proceed with its investigation against both former ministers.
Additionally, President Murmu had earlier granted sanction on February 18 for the prosecution of Satyendar Jain in a separate money-laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The probe against Jain relates to alleged disproportionate assets worth ₹1.47 crore during 2015-17. The ED claims that during his tenure as a public servant, Jain’s companies received ₹4.81 crore in illicit funds through the hawala network.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had sought the President’s approval based on ED findings, citing sufficient evidence against the former Delhi health minister. With these approvals, both Sisodia and Jain now face intensified legal scrutiny over corruption allegations from their time in office.
Follow us
