Andhra Pradesh Desalination Project Bribery Case

In 2025, India's Central Bureau of Investigation filed a case against senior Andhra Pradesh officials and executives of a multinational water treatment firm. The allegations center on a conspiracy to rig the tender for a large-scale seawater desalination plant. The officials are accused of accepting substantial bribes through shell companies and intermediaries in exchange for ensuring the firm won the contract. The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating money laundering angles. The case, categorized as an "Other Case" due to its cross-border financial transactions, triggered searches across multiple cities.

As of mid-2026, the trial is ongoing. A chargesheet has been filed by the CBI, and the accused officials have been suspended from service. The Special CBI Court is currently hearing arguments on the framing of charges. No final judgment has been delivered yet.

The key dispute is whether the accused officials manipulated the public tender process and received bribes, or if the payments were legitimate consultancy fees and the contract awarded on merit. The defense contests the admissibility of digital evidence obtained during raids, arguing procedural lapses.

The case intensified public outrage over corruption in infrastructure projects and fueled political attacks in the state assembly. It led to increased scrutiny of public-private partnerships in India and prompted calls for stricter transparency measures in e-tendering processes to restore investor confidence.