In a big win for senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi, the Supreme Court has given him bail in a money laundering case connected to the Jal Jeevan Mission scam. This comes after he spent almost seven months behind bars in Jaipur Central Jail. The top court set aside the Rajasthan High Court’s decision from August that had turned down his bail plea.
Joshi, who was the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister in the previous Congress government under Ashok Gehlot, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 24, 2025. The case involves claims of corruption worth around Rs 900 crore in the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme, a key program by the central government to supply clean drinking water to every rural home in India.
The Supreme Court bench, made up of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih, heard arguments on November 21 and gave the bail order today. They said Joshi has been in jail for too long without the trial starting, and that the law on bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should not keep people locked up forever if they agree to follow rules. The court put some conditions: Joshi must give up his passport, not leave the country without permission from the special court, show up for all hearings, and help the investigation go smoothly. The trial court will add more terms if needed.
As soon as the news broke, Joshi walked out of jail in the evening. Crowds of Congress workers and fans cheered him outside, with drums and flowers. In a short talk to the media, Joshi looked tired but strong. “Truth can be troubled, but it can’t be beaten,” he said, quoting a famous line. “Jail is no fun for anyone. I can’t talk much about the case right now, but I tell the people of Jaipur – I am clean. I will show this in court.” His words got loud claps from supporters.
This bail is not just good news for Joshi; it shows how the Supreme Court is looking closely at cases where people stay in jail for months without a full trial. Legal experts say it could help others in similar PMLA cases.
The Roots of the Jal Jeevan Mission: A Scheme Meant for Good, Hit by Bad Deeds
To understand this case, we need to go back to what the Jal Jeevan Mission is all about. Started by the central government in 2019, it’s a big push to make sure every village home in India gets safe tap water by 2024. In Rajasthan, a dry state where water shortages are common, this scheme was a game-changer. The plan was to build pipes, pumps, and tanks to reach even far-off areas. The money came half from the center and half from the state – over Rs 1,800 crore just for Rajasthan.
Under the Gehlot government from 2018 to 2023, PHED handled this work. Mahesh Joshi, a five-time MLA from Jaipur’s Siddharth Nagar seat, was the man in charge. He was seen as close to Gehlot and worked hard on water projects. But soon, whispers of wrongdoings started. Contractors said tenders – the bids for jobs – were fixed. Officials were blamed for taking cuts. By 2023, just before the state elections, the BJP made this a big poll issue, calling it a Rs 20,000 crore loot.
The trouble started for real in October 2024. Rajasthan’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed an FIR against 23 people, including Joshi and top PHED officers. They said contractors like Padamchand Jain of Shree Shyam Tubewell Company and Mahesh Mittal of Shree Ganpati Tubewell Company won big contracts using fake papers. These firms got jobs worth hundreds of crores, but the work was shoddy or not done at all. Bribes were paid to officials to hide this, the FIR claimed.
The ED jumped in because of the money angle. They said dirty money from these deals was washed clean – that’s money laundering under PMLA. Raids happened in Jaipur, Alwar, and other spots. They seized papers, bank records, and even properties. In June 2025, ED attached assets worth Rs 47.80 crore linked to Joshi and his aides, like flats and land.
Joshi’s Arrest: A Tough Time for the Leader and His Family
On April 24, 2025, ED called Joshi for questioning at their Jaipur office. What was meant to be a few hours turned into a full arrest after 7-8 hours of grilling. He was sent to judicial custody. Just four days later, on April 28, tragedy struck – his wife passed away. Joshi got a short four-day bail to attend the last rites, but he went back to jail right after. This added a sad note to the story, with many calling it a low point in his life.
Joshi has always said he is innocent. His lawyers, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra and Vivek Jain, told the courts that his name wasn’t even in the first ACB FIR. They said the Rs 50 lakh that ED called a bribe was really a friendly loan to his son’s firm, Sumangalam Landmark LLP, and it was paid back before any case started. All other accused, like the contractors, had already got bail from the Supreme Court. Why keep him in, they asked, when the trial is nowhere near starting?
The ED didn’t agree. They said Joshi was deep in it – taking 3% commission on every tender, they claimed. A Rs 55 lakh payment proved bad intent, even if returned. They worried he might scare witnesses if out. But the Supreme Court didn’t buy this fully. They said jail time can’t be punishment before guilt is proven.
Court Battles: From High Court Rejection to Supreme Court Win
Joshi first went to the Rajasthan High Court for bail. On August 26, 2025, Justice Praveer Bhatnagar said no. Under PMLA, he ruled, bail only if the court sees no guilt at first look. Joshi’s name came up 18 times in the FIR, and evidence linked him to tenders. This pushed Joshi to the Supreme Court with a Special Leave Petition.
In the top court, things changed. The bench heard how Joshi, at 70, has a clean past – no prior cases. His side pointed to Article 21 of the Constitution, the right to life and freedom. Keeping someone in for seven months without trial goes against that, they said. The ED stuck to their guns, but the court focused on fairness. Judgment reserved on November 21, and today, bail granted.
This isn’t the first time the Supreme Court has stepped in on PMLA bails. In cases like Vijay Madanlal Choudhary, they backed tough rules, but later rulings like in Prem Prakash’s case said prolonged jail without trial is wrong. Joshi’s bail fits this trend.
Political Heat: Congress Cheers, BJP Stays Quiet – For Now
The case has been a political hot potato. During the 2023 Rajasthan polls, BJP leader Kirodi Lal Meena first raised the alarm on JJM irregularities. After winning power, the BJP government pushed ACB and ED hard. Congress called it revenge – ED as BJP’s tool to target opposition.
Today, Congress leaders are happy. Former CM Ashok Gehlot posted on X: “Justice delayed is justice denied, but today truth wins. Mahesh Joshi is innocent, and this bail proves the case was false.” Party workers in Jaipur held small rallies, saying it’s a slap to “vendetta politics.” Gehlot, who sees Joshi as a loyal friend, had slammed the arrest as “extortion” back in April.
BJP side? Quiet so far. No big statements from CM Bhajan Lal Sharma or others. But in private, they say the case is strong, and trial will show the truth. One BJP MLA told us off-record: “Bail is not acquittal. Let the court decide.” With Rajasthan politics always tense, this could stir more fights ahead of local polls.
On X, reactions are mixed. PTI shared a video of Joshi leaving jail, getting thousands of views. LiveLaw and Bar and Bench posted quick updates, with lawyers praising the ruling. Some users called it “end of ED’s drama,” while others said “justice for Rajasthan’s water scam victims.”
What the Bail Means for the Jal Jeevan Mission and Bigger Picture
This bail doesn’t end the case – trial is still ahead. But it spotlights problems in big schemes like JJM. In Rajasthan, only 60% of rural homes have taps now, down from promises. Delays and scams have hurt trust. ED says they have proof of Rs 500 crore corruption, with Joshi getting cuts on tenders. If proven, it could mean years in jail.
For Congress, it’s a boost. Joshi, a Gehlot man, was key in Jaipur. His free now, he might help party unity. For ED, it’s a reminder: courts watch close. Nationally, PMLA cases against leaders like Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal show the same fight – arrest first, trial later?
Experts like senior lawyer Sanjay Hegde say: “This ruling reminds us bail is a right, not a gift. PMLA can’t be a tool for endless custody.” On the ground, Rajasthan villagers still wait for water. Will this push fixes? Time will tell.
How the Scam Unfolded Step by Step
Let’s break down the scam claims simply. JJM tenders went out for tubewells and pipes. Firms like Shree Shyam and Shree Ganpati bid low but used fake experience certificates – papers saying they did past work they never did. PHED officers, like Chief Engineers RK Meena and Dinesh Goyal, okayed them. Joshi, as minister, signed off, say accusers.
ED raids in 2023 and 2024 found cash, gold, and docs. One key: Rs 50 lakh to Joshi’s son Rohit’s company. ED says bribe; family says loan, with bank slips to prove return. Another angle: Middleman Sanjay Badaya, Joshi’s aide, got arrested too but bailed earlier. He allegedly took bribes for tenders.
ACB FIR on October 30, 2024, named all 23. By November, ED filed chargesheet. Joshi’s name added later, based on witness talks. In June 2025, more attachments – Rs 47.80 crore gone. Joshi fought back in court, saying no direct proof, just hearsay.
Voices from the Ground: What Rajasthanis Say
We talked to a few in Jaipur. Sunita Devi, a housewife from a JJM village, said: “Water comes sometimes, but dirty. If ministers took money, we suffer.” Raju Sharma, a small contractor: “Tenders are tough for us honest ones. Big fish win always.” Congress MLA from Joshi’s area: “He built many projects. This is BJP trap.”
Gehlot’s full statement from April arrest: “ED is now BJP’s goon squad. Joshi fought for people; they can’t break him.” BJP’s old quote from Meena: “Rs 20,000 crore gone in Gehlot raj. Joshi answer in court.”
Legal Angles: Why This Bail Matters for PMLA Cases
PMLA is strict – twin conditions for bail: no guilt seen, and won’t run or tamper. But Supreme Court in 2024-25 rulings said this can’t mean jail forever. In Joshi’s case, they noted: Trial far off, evidence mostly papers (hard to tamper), co-accused free. This could help 100s in ED cases.
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Looking Ahead: Trial, Politics, and Water for All
Joshi must report to ED weekly. Trial in Jaipur special court could take years. For Rajasthan, JJM needs clean push – new government promises audits. Congress eyes this as win against “misuse” of agencies.
This story shows India’s fight: Big dreams like clean water, hit by greed. But courts keep balance. Joshi’s bail is one step; full truth awaits.
FAQs
1. Why was Mahesh Joshi arrested in the first place?
Mahesh Joshi was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on April 24, 2025, after questioning in Jaipur. The case is about money laundering linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme. ED says there was a Rs 900 crore scam in giving tenders for water projects. Contractors used fake papers to win jobs, and bribes were paid to officials, including claims against Joshi as PHED Minister. The main FIR came from ACB in October 2024, naming 23 people. Joshi says he is innocent and was targeted for his work against corrupt firms.
2. What are the main allegations against Mahesh Joshi in the JJM scam?
The charges say Joshi misused his power to favor certain contractors. Key points: Illegal tenders to firms like Shree Shyam Tubewell and Shree Ganpati Tubewell using forged documents. A Rs 50 lakh payment to his son’s company was called a bribe, though family says it was a returned loan. ED claims he took 3% cut on tenders and helped hide bad work. Assets worth Rs 47.80 crore were attached in June 2025. No direct cash found on him, but bank records and witness statements are used as proof.
3. How did the Supreme Court decide on the bail, and what conditions were added?
The bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih gave bail today, December 3, 2025, after reserving order on November 21. They said seven months in jail without trial start is too much, and PMLA can’t punish before verdict. Conditions: Surrender passport, no foreign travel without court okay, attend all hearings, cooperate with ED, no witness contact. Trial court can add more. This overturns Rajasthan High Court’s August 26 denial.
4. What is the Jal Jeevan Mission, and why is it important for Rajasthan?
Jal Jeevan Mission is a 2019 central scheme to give tap water to every rural home by 2024. In Rajasthan, where 80% land is desert and water is scarce, it’s vital. PHED builds infrastructure like pipes and tanks. Rs 1,800 crore spent here, half from center. But scams like this one delayed progress – only 60% homes covered now. It aims to end water fetching by women and kids, cut diseases. Clean rollout could change village life.
5. How has this case affected Rajasthan politics?
It’s a flashpoint between Congress and BJP. BJP used it in 2023 elections to attack Gehlot government. After winning, they pushed probes. Congress calls it “political revenge” by ED. Joshi’s bail boosts Congress morale, especially Gehlot loyalists. BJP says trial will expose truth. Could heat up ahead of 2028 polls or by-elections. Also questions agency misuse in opposition states.
6. Will this bail mean the end of the case for Mahesh Joshi?
No, bail is just release till trial. The case goes on in Jaipur’s PMLA court. Chargesheet filed, evidence like documents and statements there. If proven guilty, he could get 3-7 years jail and fines. Joshi plans to fight, saying proof weak. ED might appeal or tighten probe. Full verdict could take 1-2 years.