Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has refused to grant bail to former Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav, who is currently in jail in connection with an alleged sports equipment procurement scam. The case was heard by Justice Ravi Chirania, who dismissed the bail application after hearing arguments from both sides.
On behalf of Baljeet Yadav, his lawyer argued that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had initiated an investigation under money laundering charges based on an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), but the Rajasthan High Court had already stayed proceedings in that original FIR. The defence claimed that since the underlying case was under a stay order, the ED’s action should also be viewed in that context.
The defence further argued that the case was politically motivated and filed out of political rivalry. It also pointed out that an earlier inquiry conducted by a committee headed by a senior IAS officer had given Baljeet Yadav a clean chit.
Additionally, the defence contended that although the alleged scam amount was around ₹3 crore, the sports equipment had actually been supplied to the schools. Therefore, it argued that accusing him of embezzling the entire amount was not justified at first glance.
The ED strongly opposed the bail application. Additional Solicitor General Bharat Vyas argued that, on Baljeet Yadav’s instructions, contracts for supplying sports equipment were awarded to four firms. According to the ED, these firms supplied equipment at prices several times higher than the prevailing market rates, resulting in a significant financial loss to the government.
The ED also alleged that the firms awarded the contracts were linked to Baljeet Yadav’s relatives or close associates, suggesting that the procurement process was manipulated for personal benefit.
After considering the arguments of both sides, the High Court found no grounds to grant bail and dismissed the application. As a result, Baljeet Yadav will remain in judicial custody while the investigation and trial continue.
The case relates to purchases made during the 2021–22 financial year, when badminton and cricket kits were procured for around 32 government schools in the Behror Assembly constituency. The purchases were allegedly made using about ₹3 crore from the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) Fund.
Investigators alleged that there were large-scale financial irregularities in the procurement process, including inflated prices and misuse of public funds. Based on these allegations, the Enforcement Directorate launched a money laundering investigation and arrested Baljeet Yadav in February 2026. He has remained in judicial custody since then.