New Delhi [India], February 14: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally requested the President’s approval to prosecute former Delhi Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, sources confirmed.
The MHA’s request follows evidence collected by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which reportedly presents sufficient grounds for legal proceedings against Jain. According to sources, the Ministry has sought prosecution sanction for Jain, a former Delhi government minister, based on material gathered during the ED’s investigation into his alleged involvement in financial irregularities and money laundering.
Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pertains to the prosecution of judges and public servants for offenses committed in the course of their official duties, with a mandatory prior sanction from the relevant government authority before a court can take cognizance of such offenses.
Jain’s case centers around allegations of money laundering, which have been under investigation by the ED since 2017. The ED’s probe highlights Jain’s alleged role in laundering funds through shell companies. Jain had previously been arrested in May 2022 by the ED, based on evidence suggesting his involvement in a complex money laundering operation.
In 2017, the CBI filed an FIR accusing Jain of acquiring assets beyond his known income sources. Subsequently, the ED launched its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Jain was in custody for nearly 18 months before being granted bail in October 2024.
As of January 2025, the ED has urged a Delhi court to frame charges against Jain, stating that sufficient evidence exists to move forward with the trial.
This latest development adds to the ongoing legal proceedings against Jain. The President’s decision regarding the prosecution sanction is awaited, which will determine the next course of action in the case.