Aizawl: Mizoram’s secretary for personnel and administrative reforms (DP&AR), Udit Prakash Rai, was arrested by the Delhi anti-corruption branch on Tuesday in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the tendering of sewage treatment plant projects by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), officials said.Rai, who was the DJB chief executive officer when the tenders were awarded in 2022, was arrested along with former Delhi minister Satyendar Kumar Jain and four others, according to the report. The agency has alleged irregularities in the tendering process and has accused Rai of accepting bribes worth Rs 1.5 crore.The enforcement directorate had earlier named Rai in its chargesheet in the DJB sewage-treatment plant case. The central agency alleged that the tender conditions were manipulated to favour a particular technology and that proceeds of crime amounting to around Rs 17.70 crore were generated.The arrest is likely to intensify political scrutiny of the Mizoram govt’s decision to appoint Rai as DP&AR secretary in June, replacing K Lalthawmmawia. The reshuffle followed CM Lalduhoma’s decision to take the department from home minister K Sapdanga after the latter reportedly opposed the proposed appointment of the CM’s OSD, R Lalrodingi, as tourism director.Rai’s appointment had already drawn criticism, with the opposition pointing to his earlier suspension and corruption-related investigations. A Mizoram government document listed him as “under suspension” in 2024, while reports on the June reshuffle noted the criticism surrounding his posting.
