The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused Gujarat cadre IAS officer and former Surendranagar District Collector Rajendrakumar Patel of running a large-scale bribery operation linked to Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals, allegedly generating proceeds of crime exceeding ₹10 crore from hundreds of applications.
In submissions made before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ahmedabad, the central agency claimed that Patel had institutionalised a system of collecting “speed money” from applicants seeking faster clearance of CLU permissions. As per the ED, bribe rates were allegedly fixed between ₹5 and ₹10 per square metre, depending on the nature and size of the land involved.
Over 800 CLU Applications Under Scanner
The ED told the court that the alleged illegal collections were spread across more than 800 CLU applications during Patel’s tenure as district collector. The agency said the scale and regularity of the collections pointed to a structured and organised mechanism rather than isolated acts of corruption.
According to the remand application filed on January 2, the bribes were demanded as a prerequisite for expediting approvals, effectively turning statutory land-use clearances into a revenue-generating exercise.
Digital Trail and WhatsApp Chats Cited
To substantiate its allegations, the ED has relied heavily on digital evidence recovered during searches, including electronic “hisaab” (account) records purportedly detailing bribe collections. The agency also placed reliance on WhatsApp messages and other electronic communications, which it claims establish both the demand for and flow of illegal payments.
Investigators told the court that these records identify Patel as the primary beneficiary of the alleged proceeds of crime.
Network of Intermediaries in Collector’s Office
The ED further alleged that the bribe money was routed through a network of intermediaries operating from within the district collector’s office. These middlemen allegedly acted as collection agents, ensuring that payments were gathered from applicants and channelled upwards through trusted aides.
As per the agency, digital records show that consolidated accounts of bribe collections were periodically shared with the district collector’s personal assistant, indicating a centralised monitoring of the illicit inflows.
Custodial Remand Granted
After hearing the ED’s submissions, the special PMLA court granted custodial remand of Rajendrakumar Patel till January 7 to enable further investigation, including confrontation with digital evidence and tracing of the alleged money trail.
The money laundering probe stems from a predicate offence linked to corruption in public office, with the ED focusing on identifying the full extent of the proceeds of crime and the individuals involved in facilitating the alleged racket.
The investigation remains ongoing.
