Jaikrishn Patel, a legislative member from the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP), was apprehended on Sunday by Rajasthan’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe at his official Jaipur residence.
Ravi Prakash Meharda, ACB Director General, stated that Patel had been under surveillance since April 4 after mine owner Ravindra Singh accused him of extortion. A trap was laid, leading to Patel’s arrest—the first instance of a sitting MLA in Rajasthan being nabbed while receiving a bribe.
The MLA reportedly demanded ₹10 crore to withdraw three mining-related questions slated for the legislative session. After negotiations, the deal settled at ₹2 crore. Singh had earlier paid ₹1 lakh at Banswara. The second installment was delivered on Sunday, leading to the arrest.
ACB revealed Patel’s aide accepted the money and took it to him. Sensing the presence of ACB officials, the staff member fled with the cash. While the money is missing, forensic evidence, including color traces and audio-visual recordings, confirms the bribe.
Patel, elected in the 2024 by-poll from Bagidora with Congress backing, is under intense scrutiny. The BAP, a rising tribal-centric party, called the arrest a “political setup,” suggesting a conspiracy to tarnish their image.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, declaring that no party or individual is above accountability.
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