ED Arrests Gujarat IAS Officer Rajendrakumar Patel in Major Graft-Linked Money Laundering Case
Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested senior Gujarat IAS officer Rajendrakumar Patel in connection with a high-profile bribery-linked money laundering case involving alleged irregularities in land-use approvals at the Surendranagar district collectorate.
Patel was taken into custody from Gandhinagar and later produced before a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Ahmedabad. The court, presided over by Judge K. M. Sojitra, granted the ED custodial remand of the accused till January 7, allowing the central agency to continue its interrogation.
Fixed Bribe System for Land Use Change
According to the ED, its investigation has uncovered a systematic “fixed-rate” bribery mechanism for granting approvals to convert land from agricultural to non-agricultural use. In its remand application, the agency stated that commissions were allegedly pre-determined, with applicants required to pay bribes to ensure speedy clearance of their files.
The ED told the court that statements recorded from co-accused officers and middlemen revealed that Rajendrakumar Patel allegedly received a 50% share of the total bribe amount, while the remaining portion was distributed among other officials involved in the racket.
Role of Personal Assistant Alleged
Investigators further claimed that Patel’s personal assistant played a key role in the operation. As per statements cited by the ED, the PA allegedly collected bribe money from intermediaries on Patel’s behalf and later handed it over to him.
Assets Under Scanner
The agency informed the court that preliminary findings indicate the accused may have amassed illegal proceeds exceeding ₹10 crore through the alleged scheme. The ED is now probing the money trail, possible benami assets, and links to other officials and beneficiaries in the Surendranagar collectorate.
Wider Probe Likely
Officials said the case could widen further, with the ED examining whether similar practices were followed in other districts or during Patel’s previous postings. Searches, attachment of properties, and additional arrests have not been ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s administrative circles, highlighting growing scrutiny of corruption allegations within the bureaucracy and the ED’s intensified focus on land-related scams involving public servants.
