The Water Scandal Everything You Need to Know About the Warrants Against Rajasthan's Former ACS:

The investigation into the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) "tap water" scandal has moved from raids to active pursuit. Following weeks of "absconding" reports, ACB Court No. 1 in Jaipur has issued formal arrest warrants against 1988-batch retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, alongside Jitendra Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta, and Mukesh Goyal.

Why the Warrants? The court's decision stems from the accused individuals' continued absence during the probe. Despite a Lookout Circular (LOC) being issued in February to prevent him from leaving the country, Subodh Agarwal who served as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) during the alleged scam has remained untraceable.

The Core of the ₹900 Crore Scam The investigation focuses on a massive fraud where private firms allegedly secured high-value government tenders by submitting forged work completion certificates.

The Allegation: Tenders worth nearly ₹960 crore were awarded based on fake credentials, allegedly with the connivance of senior officials.

The Method: Investigators claim that department norms were manipulated, including the introduction of a "site visit certificate" for projects over ₹50 crore, which facilitated "tender pooling" and inflated premiums.

The Nationwide Search The ACB has deployed over 40 teams across more than 100 locations in 21 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Faridabad, and Jaipur. From examining CCTV footage to questioning nearly 50 associates and relatives, the agency is pulling out all stops.

What Happens Next? The legal pressure is mounting. If the ACB is unable to execute these arrest warrants shortly, the court may authorize the attachment of properties belonging to the accused. While Subodh Agarwal has approached the Rajasthan High Court to quash the FIR—claiming he actually cancelled several suspicious tenders during his tenure—the investigative agencies are moving forward with a focus on custodial interrogation.