How Did Rajasthan's ACB Recover Rs 20 Lakh Linked to BAP MLA?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ACB's recovery of Rs 20 lakh highlights ongoing corruption issues.
- Involvement of family members in concealment efforts raises ethical questions.
- Political accountability is essential for restoring public trust.
- Forensic analysis of evidence is crucial in corruption cases.
- Public figures must uphold integrity to maintain the political system's credibility.
Jaipur, May 5 (NationPress) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) made a significant recovery on Monday, seizing Rs 20 lakh in alleged bribe funds associated with Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) MLA Jaikrishna Patel, who serves the Bagidaura constituency in Banswara district.
The accusations suggest that Patel transferred the money to his nephew, who subsequently enlisted family members in an effort to hide the cash.
According to an official, the bribe was initially given to Patel's nephew Rohit, who then involved a relative named Jaswant.
“Rohit departed from the MLA's residence with the cash, which was later handed over to Jaswant with orders to conceal it. Jaswant subsequently passed the money to another accomplice, Jagram, advising him to hide it due to an incomplete property deal,” the official stated.
The ACB team, utilizing mobile tracking, apprehended Jaswant and interrogated him for over two hours.
“He ultimately disclosed that the cash was buried at Jagram's home in Indira Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur. The ACB successfully recovered the cash that had been buried underground by the two individuals,” the official added.
On May 4, when the ACB team initially visited Patel’s residence, one suspect had escaped with the money. Further investigation and surveillance led to the recovery.
MLA Jaikrishna Patel was presented in an ACB court, where both he and his cousin were granted a two-day remand. “I am being framed. I have done nothing wrong,” Patel told reporters post-hearing, before being taken to ACB headquarters for more questioning.
Additionally, the ACB has obtained CCTV footage from Patel's official residence. Forensic experts from the FSL will analyze the footage and server room to trace the movements and involvement of all parties.
The ACB executed the operation with meticulous care, pre-marking Rs 500 notes from the same series, totaling Rs 20 lakh, which were retrieved from the bank with the complainant's help. This procedure enabled the ACB to accurately verify and trace the bribe money's movement.
In response to the incident, former Udaipur MP Raghuvir Singh Meena criticized the MLA's actions.
“This is a disgraceful act. Regardless of party affiliation, such incidents tarnish the political landscape. A first-time MLA caught in a bribery scandal reflects poorly on the system,” Meena remarked.
He further stated, “When someone suddenly acquires power and wealth, they often neglect their responsibilities. Politics, society, and our region have been shamed by this act. The law must take action, and consequences should be proportional to the severity of the crime.”