The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Rajendra Kumar Patel, a 2015-batch IAS officer and former District Collector of Surendranagar, Gujarat, in connection with a money laundering case linked to bribery, officials said on Friday.
Patel was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His arrest comes nearly a week after he was transferred from his post as District Collector without being given a fresh posting, following the ED’s action against a revenue official posted in his office.
Earlier, the ED had arrested Chandrasinh Mori, a Deputy Mamlatdar (revenue officer) in the Surendranagar Collectorate, on charges of accepting bribes for expediting land-related approvals. Subsequently, the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered an FIR against Patel, his personal assistant Jayrajsinh Jhala, clerk Mayur Singh Gohil, and Mori under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
₹67.5 Lakh Cash Seized During Raid
According to officials, the ED recovered ₹67.5 lakh in cash during a raid conducted on December 23 at Mori’s residence. Investigations revealed that the money was allegedly collected as bribes from applicants seeking quick clearance of legal land use and conversion (CLU) applications.
The ED stated that the bribe amounts were allegedly fixed on a per-square-metre basis, indicating a structured system of illegal gratification.
Allegations of Systematic Corruption
The probe has also uncovered evidence suggesting systematic corruption and large-scale generation of illicit income through organised bribery involving public servants at the Surendranagar District Collector’s office.
Mori was responsible for verifying ownership rights and processing land-use-related applications under the Saurashtra Gharkhed Tenancy Settlement Ordinance and the Agricultural Land Act, 1949. He is accused of misusing his official position to demand bribes in exchange for faster approvals.
The ED said further investigation is underway to trace the proceeds of crime and identify the full extent of the alleged money laundering network.
