Gujarat Bribery Scandal: ED Raids IAS Rajendrakumar Patel, ₹67.5 Lakh Cash Seized; ACB Files FIR After Collector’s Removal

Gujarat’s bureaucracy is under intense scrutiny as 2015-batch IAS officer Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel faces corruption and money-laundering allegations. Following a raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Patel was removed from his post as Surendranagar District Collector, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed an FIR against him.

ED Raids Shake the Administration

ED officials recently conducted searches at the Surendranagar Collectorate and associated locations. Following the operation:

• Dr. Patel was removed from his post and has not received a new assignment.
• Sensitive files are being examined by both central and state agencies.
• The FIR filed by the ACB is based on a complaint submitted by the ED after preliminary investigations.

Four Named in the ACB FIR

The FIR, registered on December 23, names:

1. Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel – Former Collector, Surendranagar
2. Jayrajsinh Jhala – Personal Assistant
3. Mayursinh Gohil – Clerk
4. Chandrasinh Mori – Revenue Officer

No arrests have been made yet for the others, while investigators are scrutinizing documents, digital records, and financial trails.

₹67.50 Lakh Cash Seized

During the ED operation, ₹67.50 lakh in cash was recovered from Revenue Officer Chandrasinh Mori’s residence. The ED alleges that the cash was collected as bribes for:

• Fast-tracking land-use applications
• Ensuring favorable decisions on certain files

Mori was arrested and produced before a PMLA court, which remanded him to ED custody until January 1. Investigators are tracing the money flow and identifying possible beneficiaries.

Bureaucracy on Alert

Sources indicate that additional names, possibly from the 2015 IAS batch, may come under investigation. Several officers from the same batch hold key administrative positions across Gujarat, increasing anxiety within official circles.

Who is Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel?

• Home State: Gujarat (Ahmedabad district)
• Date of Birth: 23 August 1985
• Civil Services: Joined IAS, 2015 batch (appointed Collector, Surendranagar on 4 February 2025)
• Educational Background: BDS (Dentistry), MA in Public Policy

Patel’s brief tenure as Collector has now become the focal point of a high-profile corruption probe.

What Lies Ahead

Investigators are currently examining:

• The origin of the alleged bribe money and its handlers
• Whether a larger network of officials was involved
• The potential impact of bribery on administrative decisions

The Gujarat government has indicated that strict action will follow if charges are substantiated, signaling zero tolerance toward corruption in administrative offices.