Minister released on personal bond

PUNE: Minister of state for civil supplies Suresh Jain was released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 until the outcome of a case against him by judicial magistrate first class Govind Rathod here on Thursday.
Jain appeared before the JMFC court for filing his plea in a defamation case filed by anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare. The minister also filed an application for quick trial.
The date of the next hearing for the submission of evidence has been scheduled for August 28, after Hazare’s lawyer said his client had cases pending in Mumbai and could not attend day-to-day trial.
Speaking to reporters after appearing before the court, Hazare refuted the charge by Jain that water was being supplied to Ralegan-Siddhi through tankers. Jain had indirectly hinted that Hazare’s water conservation project had failed.
“There is no scarcity of water in the village. However, we will require water tankers if it does not rain within the next four days,� Hazare admitted.
He alleged that some people, led by Jain, were trying to mislead the citizens and tone down his agitation, which has been planned from August 9 in Mumbai. The activist denied the charge that there were any irregularities in the functioning of his trusts.