Rajasthan Police announce 25-paise reward to mock Naresh Meena, raids on
Synopsis
Rajasthan Police have resorted to a rare psychological tactic — announcing a 25-paise reward for a wanted accused — to publicly ridicule Naresh Meena, the Bhagat Singh Sena chief who allegedly led a mob attack on a Forest Range office. The twist: a video shows the fugitive calmly boating on a river and campaigning in Panchayat polls while police raid a dozen locations looking for him.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Police announced a symbolic 25-paise reward for information on Naresh Meena , chief of the Bhagat Singh Sena , on 7 November .
Meena is wanted for the alleged assault of Forest Guard Pradeep Singh and others at the Nahargarh Forest Range office on 1 November .
A video dated 5 November shows Meena boating on the Parwan River and campaigning in ongoing Panchayat elections despite the manhunt.
Police teams have raided nearly a dozen locations ; surveillance around his village has been intensified.
The operation is led by Chhabra SHO Rajesh Khatana ; Meena remains at large as of 7 November .
A similar 25-paise reward tactic was previously used by Bharatpur Police against another wanted criminal.
Rajasthan Police have announced a symbolic reward of just 25 paise for information leading to the arrest of Naresh Meena, chief of the Bhagat Singh Sena, who is wanted in connection with the alleged assault of Forest Department personnel and destruction of government property at the Nahargarh Forest Range office in Jaipur. The announcement, made on 7 November 2026, is widely seen as a calculated humiliation tactic rather than a genuine financial incentive.
The 25-Paise Strategy
Police officials explained the rationale behind the unusual reward, saying: 'We are aware that this currency (25 paise) is not being used these days; however, we want to give a message to Meena that his image for us is not of a big criminal but more like a small criminal (chavanni chaap).' No written order has been issued, but the announcement has been made publicly as a strategic move to deflate Meena's self-styled reputation. Officials noted that Meena has reportedly been branding himself as a man with around 30 crime cases against him — a number police appear intent on dismissing. This is not the first time such a tactic has been employed in Rajasthan; the Bharatpur Police previously announced a 25-paise reward for a most-wanted criminal in a similar move.
What Triggered the Case
The case dates back to 1 November, when Meena allegedly arrived at the Nahargarh Forest Range office accompanied by hundreds of supporters. According to the complaint filed by Forest Department personnel, the group allegedly assaulted Forest Guard Pradeep Singh and other employees, tore up official documents, and forcibly removed a generator and other equipment seized by the department. A case was subsequently registered against Meena and his associates for allegedly assaulting government employees, obstructing official duties, and damaging government property. Several of his supporters have already been arrested.
Meena Spotted Campaigning Despite Manhunt
Even as police teams conduct raids across nearly a dozen locations, a video dated 5 November showed Meena boating on the Parwan River while actively campaigning for candidates he supports in the ongoing Panchayat elections. In the footage, Meena is seen seated in a boat on the river, appealing to supporters and local residents to ensure the victory of his backed candidates. His apparent public presence while evading a police search has drawn considerable attention and raised pointed questions about the progress of the operation.
Search Operation: Current Status
The search operation is being led by Chhabra Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Khatana. Police have raided nearly a dozen locations where Meena is suspected to be hiding, and surveillance has been intensified around his village and along key routes to track his movements. Despite the heightened activity, Meena remains at large. Officials have confirmed that efforts are continuing to apprehend him.
What Happens Next
With Panchayat elections underway and Meena reportedly still active in public campaigning, the pressure on the Rajasthan Police to execute an arrest is mounting. The optics of a wanted accused boating on a river while police conduct raids at a dozen locations is unlikely to go unnoticed by state authorities. How quickly the force can convert its symbolic messaging into an actual arrest will be the real measure of the operation's success.
Point of View
But theatre rarely substitutes for an arrest. The more striking detail here is the November 5 boating video — a wanted man, openly on a river, working a crowd for Panchayat votes while police fan out across a dozen locations. That image of impunity, more than any symbolic reward, is the story Rajasthan Police need to close quickly. It also points to a recurring pattern in Rajasthan, where politically connected local strongmen exploit election cycles to stay mobile and visible, betting that campaign optics will complicate enforcement. If Meena remains free through the Panchayat results, the 25-paise taunt will look less like strategy and more like the police blinking.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajasthan Police announce a 25-paise reward for Naresh Meena?
The 25-paise reward is a deliberate psychological tactic to mock and publicly humiliate Naresh Meena rather than offer a genuine financial incentive. Police officials stated they want to send a message that Meena is a 'chavanni chaap' — a small-time criminal — despite his attempts to brand himself as a major figure with around 30 cases against him.
What is Naresh Meena accused of?
Naresh Meena, chief of the Bhagat Singh Sena, is accused of leading a mob to the Nahargarh Forest Range office in Jaipur on 1 November, where the group allegedly assaulted Forest Guard Pradeep Singh and other staff, tore official documents, and forcibly removed a generator and other seized equipment. A case has been registered against him for assault, obstructing official duties, and damaging government property.
Where was Naresh Meena spotted while evading police?
A video dated 5 November shows Meena boating on the Parwan River while campaigning for candidates he supports in the ongoing Panchayat elections. He is seen appealing to supporters and residents to back his preferred candidates, raising questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing search operation.
Who is leading the search for Naresh Meena?
The search operation is being led by Chhabra Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Khatana. Police teams have raided nearly a dozen locations and intensified surveillance around Meena's village and key routes. As of 7 November, Meena remains at large.
Has this 25-paise reward tactic been used before in Rajasthan?
Yes. Bharatpur Police previously announced a 25-paise reward for information on a most-wanted criminal in a similar symbolic gesture. The Rajasthan Police appear to be using the same tactic to publicly diminish Meena's self-projected image as a significant criminal.
