NEW DELHI : The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against former Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyendra Jain over alleged financial misconduct in a ₹571 crore CCTV procurement scheme under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi administration.
According to Madhur Verma, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police and head of ACB, the case was registered after securing prior authorization under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. “The matter pertains to allegations that liquidated damages amounting to ₹16 crore, imposed on Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), were unjustly waived in exchange for a ₹7 crore bribe,” Verma stated.
The controversy emerged following a media exposé alleging that Jain facilitated the waiver of penalties imposed on BEL for delays in deploying 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies. Initial inquiries revealed that a senior BEL official with firsthand knowledge confirmed the accusations and submitted a detailed complaint to ACB.
Further scrutiny suggested that ₹7 crore in kickbacks was funneled through contractors who, in turn, received additional contracts for another 1.4 lakh cameras. Reports dated August 23, 2019, indicated that despite project inefficiencies and extended delays, the then Delhi government not only excused the penalties but also sanctioned further work orders to BEL.
The ACB is currently reviewing official correspondence, financial transactions, and internal records from PWD and BEL to uncover the extent of the alleged malpractice and establish the role of Jain and other implicated officials.
Verma added, “We are conducting a thorough inquiry to trace the entire chain of events and determine the accountability of the former PWD Minister, along with involved officers from PWD and BEL.”
The case has been filed under FIR No. 04/2025, invoking Sections 7 and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in conjunction with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
