The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given the green light for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against Satyendar Jain, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), amidst allegations of extorting ₹10 crore from conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar as “protection money.” This development adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the AAP, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal already in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody over an alleged liquor policy scam.
According to reports from news agency ANI, sources revealed that Jain, along with former Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goel, stands accused of operating an extortion racket from within Tihar Jail, demanding protection money from high-profile inmates. The allegations suggest that Jain and Goel were involved in extorting money from Chandrashekhar to ensure his “peaceful and comfortable” stay in jail.
Earlier this year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena authorized a CBI inquiry into the extortion charges against Satyendar Jain. In a letter requesting the LG’s approval for the probe, the CBI mentioned that Jain allegedly ran a high-profile extortion racket from Tihar Jail, seeking ₹10 crore as “protection money” from Chandrashekhar. The conman claimed that Jain extorted money from him in multiple installments between 2018 and 2021, either directly or through associates, to facilitate his comfortable stay in various Delhi jails, including Tihar, Rohini, and Mandoli.
Satyendar Jain’s legal troubles trace back to May 2022 when he was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Despite seeking bail, his efforts were thwarted as the Supreme Court dismissed his last bail plea in March of this year, directing him to surrender in connection with the money laundering case. However, Jain managed to secure interim medical bail on May 26, 2023, following a medical emergency when he fell in the jail bathroom and underwent a spinal operation during the bail period.
The unfolding saga involving Satyendar Jain underscores the complexities and legal challenges faced by political figures, particularly amidst allegations of financial impropriety and extortion. The MHA’s sanctioning of a CBI inquiry adds another layer of scrutiny to the AAP leader’s legal predicament, signaling potential significant ramifications for both Jain and the political landscape in Delhi.
Sources By Agencies