ED arrests former Gujarat collector Rajendrakumar Patel in rs 10 crore bribery case

Ahmedabad:The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Surendranagar district collector and IAS officer Rajendrakumar Patel in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged large-scale bribery racket involving land conversion approvals in Gujarat. Officials said the arrest was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following the emergence of substantial evidence pointing to Patel’s role in the illegal collection and distribution of bribe money.

According to the ED, the case revolves around the alleged demand and acceptance of bribes for granting speedy approvals for land conversion. Investigators claim that bribe amounts were fixed on a per-square-metre basis and meticulously recorded in handwritten notes as well as digital files. The total illegal gratification involved in the case is estimated to be around ₹10 crore.

Patel, a 2015-batch IAS officer, was arrested barely a week after he was transferred without being assigned any new posting. The probe was initiated based on inputs suggesting systematic corruption within the district administration, particularly in the revenue department, where land conversion permissions fall under the jurisdiction of senior officials.

The ED’s investigation has also brought to light the alleged role of deputy mamlatdar (revenue officer) Chandrasinh Bhupatsinh Mori, who was responsible for approving land conversion under the Saurashtra Gharkhed Tenancy Settlement and Agricultural Lands Ordinance, 1949. As per the agency, Mori abused his official position by demanding bribes in exchange for expedited clearances.

During a raid conducted on December 23 at Mori’s residence, ED officials recovered ₹67.50 lakh in cash, which was reportedly hidden inside a bed. In his statement recorded under Section 17 of the PMLA, Mori allegedly admitted that the seized cash was bribe money and disclosed a structured distribution mechanism involving multiple officials.

Mori reportedly told investigators that 50 per cent of the bribe amount was meant for the district collector. He further stated that he retained 10 per cent of the proceeds for himself, while the remaining amount was distributed among other officials, including additional district collector R K Oza (25 per cent), mamlatdar Mayur Dev (10 per cent), and clerk Mayursinh D. Gohil (5 per cent).

Significantly, Mori is said to have identified collector Rajendrakumar Patel as the principal beneficiary of the illegal funds. He also claimed that Patel’s close aide, Jayarajsinh Jhala, physically received the collector’s share of the bribe money.

The ED has stated that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are likely as the agency continues to trace the money trail and examine the involvement of other officials. The case has triggered serious concerns over corruption within the administrative machinery and misuse of authority in land-related approvals.