Jaipur, Rajasthan – A massive manhunt is underway for retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Subodh Agarwal, who is accused of playing a central role in a major corruption scandal linked to the ₹900 crore plus Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) tender scam in Rajasthan. Authorities say he has been absconding for weeks, reportedly evading arrest while investigators intensify their search across multiple states.
What Is the Allegation?
The Jal Jeevan Mission, a central government initiative aimed at providing safe tap water to every rural household, has become embroiled in controversy in Rajasthan. Officials from the Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) allege that tenders worth nearly ₹900 crore for water supply infrastructure were irregularly awarded to private firms using forged experience certificates and manipulated verification processes.
Investigators contend that two private companies – M/s Shri Ganpati Tubewell Company and M/s Shree Shyam Tubewell Company – submitted fake certificates claiming prior experience, allegedly fabricated to secure lucrative Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) contracts.
Subodh Agarwal: The Central Accused
Agarwal, who previously served as Additional Chief Secretary of Rajasthan’s PHED, is named in multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with the scam. The ACB alleges that senior officials, including Agarwal, failed to act on several legal notices and warnings about forged documents, and may have been complicit in facilitating the irregular tender awards.
Since mid‑February 2026, authorities have been unable to locate Agarwal. His phone was last active on the evening of 16 February 2026, and he has reportedly not responded to summons from the investigative agencies.
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Massive Search and Arrest Warrants
On 13 March 2026, a special ACB court in Jaipur issued non‑bailable arrest warrants against Agarwal and three others accused in the case – including officials like Jitendra Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta and Mukesh Goyal – after they failed to appear before investigators.
To prevent him from fleeing the country, authorities have sought a Look Out Circular (LOC) from immigration officials, signalling that Agarwal may attempt to travel abroad.
More than 40 specialised ACB teams have reportedly raided over 100 locations across at least 21 cities nationwide – including Jaipur, Udaipur, Barmer, Jodhpur, New Delhi and Mumbai – in search of Agarwal and other suspects.
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Legal Battles and Court Moves
In a twist to the case, Agarwal’s legal team has approached the Rajasthan High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him, arguing procedural issues and disputing his alleged involvement.
However, in late March 2026, the High Court declined to hear some aspects of his petition, allowing the investigation and prosecution to proceed.
Broader Probe and Arrests
The probe has already led to the arrest of several other officials and engineers linked to the alleged scam. In recent weeks, at least nine people, including senior engineering officials and contractors, were remanded to custody after being produced before an ACB court in Jaipur.
Investigators say the scam involved not just forged certificates but also manipulated verification reports, undue influence on evaluation committees and alleged kickbacks distributed among participating officials and intermediaries – all contributing to significant financial irregularities in the implementation of water supply work.
Impact and Public Reaction
The case has triggered widespread public scrutiny in Rajasthan, with concerns over governance, transparency and accountability in state‑level implementation of central schemes. The Anti‑Corruption Bureau, along with central agencies, continues its multi‑layered investigation, with Assam, Gujarat and national authorities reportedly assisting in tracking possible leads.
As the investigation progresses, authorities have pledged to pursue all legal and administrative avenues to bring the accused to justice and recover public funds allegedly diverted through the irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission tender process.
