Rajasthan Seeks Lookout Circular Against Retired IAS Officer Subodh Agarwal in ₹960-Crore Jal Jeevan Mission Scam
The legal net appears to be tightening around retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, as the Rajasthan government has formally requested the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) in connection with the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission scam.
The requisition has been sent to immigration authorities in New Delhi, marking a significant escalation in the probe.
Confirming the development, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Superintendent of Police Pushpendra Singh stated that the request has been forwarded and the final decision now rests with the immigration department.
The move is aimed at preventing Agarwal from leaving the country as investigations intensify.
What an LOC Means
A Lookout Circular is a legal instrument used by authorities to track and restrain individuals facing criminal or financial investigations.
Once issued, alerts are circulated across airports, seaports, and land border checkpoints to stop or detain the individual from exiting India.
Background of the Case
A 1988-batch IAS officer, Agarwal retired on December 31, 2025, shortly after the Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, sanctioned his prosecution in the case.
During his tenure, Agarwal served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED), the department at the center of the alleged scam.
Investigative agencies are examining allegations of corruption, fraud, and collusion in the awarding of tenders under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The case revolves around contracts worth approximately ₹960 crore. According to officials, two firms allegedly secured these tenders by submitting forged completion certificates.
Recent Developments
In a dramatic turn, ACB officials conducted an early morning raid at Agarwal’s Jaipur residence on February 17 at around 4 a.m., but he was not present. CCTV footage reportedly showed him leaving his residence around 9 p.m. the previous evening, raising further questions.
The case has widened in scope. Earlier this week, nine senior officials were arrested following coordinated early morning raids at multiple locations.
A court subsequently remanded all nine accused to three days of police custody for further interrogation.
At the same time, four other individuals have obtained no-coercive-action orders from the Rajasthan High Court, meaning law enforcement agencies cannot take punitive action against them while their petitions are pending.
Political Ramifications
The probe also casts a shadow over senior Congress leader Mahesh Joshi, who was serving as PHED minister during the period in question. Joshi was arrested in the case but was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in December after spending seven months in custody.
With the request for a Look Out Circular now in motion, the investigation appears to be entering a decisive phase. Authorities maintain that further action will depend on ongoing evidence collection and custodial interrogations.
The unfolding developments suggest that the high-profile case, already one of the most contentious scandals linked to the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, may see further legal and political consequences in the coming weeks.
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