ED lens on bank A/cs of Joshi, kin as it grills him

Jaipur: Former public health engineering department (PHED) minister Mahesh Joshi was interrogated by Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday about tenders awarded to private companies during the previous Congress regime, specific bank transactions linked to him, and the bank accounts of his family members.
ED officials said Joshi replied to some questions but showed ignorance to many. He was by and large uncomfortable with many questions, which were backed by strong evidence presented by ED officials, who were armed with a bunch of documents and files during the questioning that started at 10 am, said sources.
About six bank accounts belonging to Joshi and his family members were examined by ED, they said. The agency's primary objective is to trace the proceeds of crime in the multi-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam and advance their investigation further, they added.
Joshi was asked about the tenders given to M/S Shri Shyam Tubewell and also about the defalcation of Rs 136.41 crore in the awarding of tenders, said ED sources.
"He was also questioned on specific transactions in his personal bank account, the bank accounts of his family members, and also on some of the immovable properties. Nothing much can be disclosed now," said an ED officer.
The former minister was uncomfortable with questions on certain tenders of JJM and claimed he was unaware of them, said sources. ED officials, however, contradicted his claims by showing various files and documents, they added.