AAP's Woes Deepen As MHA Sanctions CBI Inquiry Against Jailed AAP Minister Satyendar Jain

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had forwarded the proposal of the CBI to the MHA in February this year, seeking approval to prosecute and investigate Jain under section 17A of the POC Act.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday gave its nod for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Minister Satyendar Jain, news agency reported citing government sources.  The sanction comes under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act, following allegations that Jain extorted Rs. 10 Crores from notorious conman Sukash Chandrashekhar, who was then lodged in Tihar Jail. 

In addition to Jain, Sandeep Goel, the former director general of Tihar prisons, and several other staff members were accused of demanding and extorting “protection money” from high-profile prisoners in Delhi’s jails.

On March 22, the ministry gave the green light for a CBI investigation into Jain. Following this, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena sent the file to the chief secretary for further necessary action, as confirmed by an official.

Chandrashekhar, who is currently serving time in Tihar jail for a money laundering case, lodged a complaint. Following this, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an inquiry and requested permission from the relevant authority to prosecute the former minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In his complaint, Chandrashekhar claimed that “Jain had extorted Rs 10 crore from him in various instalments between 2018 and 2021, either personally or through his accomplices, as protection money to ensure he could ‘live peacefully and comfortably’ in various Delhi jails.”

He also alleged that some jail officials had extorted Rs 12.50 crore from him in instalments between 2019 and 2022.