Jaipur, Feb 17: In one of its biggest operations so far in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam case, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations across the country on Tuesday.

According to sources, dozens of ACB teams carried out coordinated searches at around 15 locations, including Jaipur, Barmer, Sikar, Jalore, Delhi, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

The raids are part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the state’s flagship ‘Har Gahr Jal’ (Tap in every home) drinking water scheme.

ACB teams reportedly searched the premises of retired Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), a senior IAS officer, along with other accused individuals linked to the alleged scam.

Officials are examining documents and questioning the retired official regarding the tender allocation process during his tenure.

The retired official was accused of awarding contracts worth crores of rupees to preferred companies allegedly on the basis of fake experience certificates.

Officials said the questioning is part of the broader probe into irregularities in procurement and tendering under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

More than half a dozen suspects have reportedly been detained for questioning in the operation being conducted under the supervision of ACB Director General Govind Gupta and Additional Director General Smita Srivastava.

Among those being questioned are officials and contractors suspected of involvement in the alleged irregularities.

According to sources, formal arrests of some individuals may be announced later in the day, depending on the outcome of interrogations and evidence verification.

The crackdown is not limited to Rajasthan. ACB teams have also carried out searches in Bihar and Jharkhand, where companies linked to the case are suspected to have operations.

The entire operation is being supervised by DIG Dr. Rameshwar Singh and SP Pushpendra Singh Rathore, who is also heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case.

Officials have reportedly seized digital devices, diaries, and documents related to bank transactions, which are now being examined as part of the investigation.

The Jal Jeevan Mission scam is believed to involve irregularities worth over Rs 900 crore.

Investigators claimed that certain companies secured contracts by submitting forged experience certificates.

Earlier in the case, former minister Mahesh Joshi and several engineers were arrested and sent to jail. The latest action signals that the investigation is now moving toward senior-level officials and major players in the alleged scam.

New Delhi, Feb 16: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed, as withdrawn, a plea filed by 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Abu Salem seeking premature release in terms of the extradition arrangement between India and Portugal.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta permitted Abu Salem to withdraw the special leave petition (SLP) after senior advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for him, sought permission to approach the Bombay High Court for an early hearing of the pending matter.

“Mr Rishi Malhotra, learned senior counsel, after arguing for sometime states that this petition may be dismissed as withdrawn, leaving it open for the petitioner to go before the High Court for an early hearing and disposal of the pending matter. Petition is dismissed with liberty,” it ordered.

Abu Salem, who was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, claimed that he was entitled to be released upon completion of 25 years of imprisonment in terms of the extradition treaty between India and Portugal.

He also sought the benefit of 3 years and 16 days of jail-earned remission for good conduct in computing the 25-year sentence.

Abu Salem had moved the Bombay High Court seeking a direction to the authorities to specify a release date upon completion of 25 years. However, it, in an order passed on July 7, 2025, prima facie observed that the 25-year period was “yet to be completed, including the alleged period of pre-trial detention or incarceration” and refused interim relief.

Before the Supreme Court, Malhotra submitted that his client was seeking ordinary and annual good conduct remission and alleged that the authorities’ calculation that Abu Salem had not completed 25 years was an “arithmetical error”.

Relying on the Supreme Court’s July 2022 judgment, which reckoned October 12, 2005, as the date of commencement of his detention, the senior counsel further argued that Abu Salem had already “surpassed 10 months” beyond the 25-year period and described the case as one of “habeas corpus, illegal custody”.

However, the Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench said it was not inclined to entertain the plea at this stage, adding that the matter essentially concerned findings recorded by the Bombay High Court and Abu Salem should move an appropriate application there.

The Maharashtra government has maintained that Abu Salem has not yet completed 25 years of imprisonment. The Inspector General of Prisons & Correctional Services informed the Bombay High Courtthat till March 31, 2025, he had undergone 19 years, 5 months and 18 days of his prison term.

Abu Salem had moved the Bombay HC seeking a direction to the authorities to specify a release date upon completion of 25 years, contending that his continued incarceration violated his right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, which claimed 257 lives and injured over 1,400 people. Following his extradition under the Indo-Portugal treaty, his sentence was commuted to 25 years’ imprisonment in line with the assurances given to the Portuguese authorities.

New Delhi, Feb 16: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Monday announced that it has extended its ‘UPI One World’ wallet service for international visitors attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital.

The summit is being held from February 16 to 20, and visitors from more than 40 countries will now be able to make seamless and secure UPI payments during their stay in India.

Under this pilot initiative, foreign travellers can make real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments using UPI without needing an Indian mobile number or a local bank account.

This means that international guests can enjoy India’s culture, shopping, and food experiences while using “Made in India” digital payment technology.

The ‘UPI One World’ wallet is being made available through authorised prepaid payment instrument (PPI) issuers at New Delhi International Airport and at the NPCI Pavilion located in Hall 14 at Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue.

Visitors can download the CheqUPI app by Transcorp from the Play Store or App Store and complete a simple registration process.

They need to enter their basic details, upload their passport and visa, take a selfie through the app, and set their UPI PIN. Once registered, a unique UPI ID is generated for them.

Travellers can load the wallet using an international debit or credit card and start making payments by scanning UPI QR codes across India.

This removes the need to carry cash or deal with foreign exchange hassles. Any unused balance in the wallet can be transferred back to the original payment source, in line with foreign exchange regulations.

Users can load up to Rs 25,000 per transaction, with a maximum of two wallet loads allowed per month, taking the total monthly limit to Rs 50,000.

Speaking on the development, Sohini Rajola, Executive Director – Growth at NPCI, said that UPI is the world’s largest real-time payment system.