After four years of investigation, the CBI found no proof of wrongdoing by AAP leader Satyendar Jain. The Delhi court accepted the closure report and dismissed the corruption case.
New Delhi: On August 4, a Delhi court officially closed the corruption case against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported that no evidence was found against him, despite a detailed four-year-long investigation.
The decision was taken by Special Judge (PC Act) Dig Vinay Singh at Rouse Avenue Courts, who accepted the CBI’s closure report. The court clearly noted that there was no evidence of any illegal benefit or wrongdoing by Jain in the matter.
The court observed,
“There is no material whatsoever even to suggest a criminal conspiracy.”
It added that just having doubts or assumptions is not enough to continue with a criminal case.
In its detailed observation, the court made it clear that,
“The allegations, as presented, and the factual background are not sufficient to warrant further investigation or to initiate proceedings. The law clearly states that suspicion cannot replace proof. It is also worth noting that, even to charge someone, mere suspicion is not enough; at least strong suspicion would be necessary to proceed.”
Based on this reasoning, the court proceeded to close the case.
The case dates back to May 2019, when the Vigilance Department had filed a complaint against Satyendar Jain. Based on that complaint, the CBI registered an FIR (First Information Report).
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Jain was accused of misusing his position as the then Public Works Department (PWD) minister in the Delhi government.
It was alleged that he approved the hiring of a 17-member consultant team for the PWD department through outsourcing, which allegedly bypassed the usual government recruitment rules.
However, during the investigation, the CBI concluded that the recruitment of these consultants was required due to urgent needs in the department.
The agency also reported that the hiring process was fair, competitive, and transparent.
The CBI clearly stated in its closure report that there was no sign of corruption, any secret planning (conspiracy), unfair advantage to anyone, or personal benefit taken by Jain or others.
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After going through the CBI’s closure report, the court agreed with the agency’s findings and closed the case completely.
However, the court also made an important point in its final note, stating that if any fresh material is received against anyone, the CBI would be at liberty to investigate the matter further.
Case Title:
CBI V Satyendar Jain & Ors
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