Jaipur. A big news came on Monday morning amid the hustle and bustle of politics and investigative agencies in Jaipur. Former minister Mahesh Joshi has got bail from the Supreme Court. With this, the way has been opened for the release of Joshi, who was lodged in Jaipur Central Jail for almost eight months. ED had arrested him on April 24 in the Rs 900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam. After his arrest, he got a few days’ interim relief at the end of April due to the death of his wife, but after that period Joshi went straight back to jail. In search of relief, he first approached the Rajasthan High Court, where his bail plea was rejected on August 26. After this the matter reached the Supreme Court. After a long hearing, the court had reserved the order on November 21. Today, the bench of Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice AG Masih gave its verdict and granted him bail.
Political signal: Relief, but questions remain
This decision can prove to be political oxygen for Mahesh Joshi. Joshi, who remained silent for eight months, can now return to the field of active politics. But the ED investigation is still going on and many layers are yet to be revealed in this big alleged scam of Rs 900 crore.
This is being seen in two ways in political circles –
Supporters are calling it a victory for justice, saying the entire case was “politically motivated.”
Opponents still raise questions that getting bail does not equate to being proven innocent, so the further process will be more important.
The Supreme Court order underlines the authenticity of the judicial process—not just from a political perspective, but also from a legal perspective.
New movement in Jaipur politics
Joshi’s release is going to bring new heat in the politics of the capital. His role in the party, questions of Jal Jeevan Mission and further action of ED – all these will be in the headlines in the coming days.
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