In fresh trouble for the AAP government ahead of the civil polls, the CBI has started a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on charges of laundering Rs 16.41 crore.

The Delhi government rejected the registration of the  enquiry as “politically motivated”, saying it was a “defamatory, malicious and desperate” attempt to malign Jain’s image ahead of the civil polls on April 23.

According to the claims of the CBI officials, the minister has laundered Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-12 through Prayas Info Solutions Pvt Ltd, Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, Managalyatan Projects Pvt Ltd and Indometal Impex Pvt Ltd. He has also reportedly laundered Rs 4.63 crore as a public servant during 2015-16 through these companies.

The officials said that Jain used this money for purchasing agricultural land worth Rs 27.69 crore in Delhi in the name of companies controlled by him. He is also accused of using his influence as minister in trying to convert the agricultural land into residential land.

The PE was begun based on a reference from the Income Tax Department. The department is probing the matter under the new benami-prohibition law.