ACB Court Sends Banswara MLA and Associate to Two-Day Police Custody in ₹20 Lakh Bribery Case

Jaipur, May 5, 2025 In a high-profile corruption case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) special court has granted two-day police remand of Banswara’s Bagidora MLA Jaykrishna Patel and his cousin and alleged middleman Vijay Kumar alias Vicky. The two were arrested on Sunday in connection with accepting ₹20 lakh bribe in exchange for withdrawing legislative questions related to the mining sector.

The ACB presented both accused in court on Monday and sought four days of police custody to further probe the money trail and other critical aspects of the case. The court, however, granted remand until May 7.

Bribery Case Background

The complaint was filed by Ravindra Singh on April 4, alleging that MLA Jaykrishna Patel had demanded ₹10 crore initially and later negotiated the amount down to ₹2.5 crore for withdrawing questions raised in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly concerning mining issues.

Following due verification, ACB found that Patel had repeatedly contacted the complainant, urging him to deliver the payment. On May 3, Patel allegedly instructed Singh to meet him in Jaipur, and on May 4, called him to his official MLA residence to hand over the money.

According to the ACB’s account, at around 11:30 AM, the complainant reached the basement of Patel’s residence with the money. Patel was already present and reportedly counted the ₹20 lakh cash inside the complainant’s car before handing it over to an associate who fled with the money.

ACB officials detained Patel at the scene. Upon conducting a chemical handwash test, Patel’s hands tested positive, turning red, confirming contact with the bribe amount.

Investigation Progress

As per ACB DG Dr. Ravi Prakash Meharda, the agency has since recovered the ₹20 lakh cash, which was buried underground by a relative of the MLA after being passed through multiple hands. Investigations also indicate that the bribe was disguised as a property deal, which never materialized.

Authorities are now analyzing CCTV footage from the MLA’s residence, and a forensic examination of the server room is underway. Additional arrests and evidence recoveries are expected as the investigation unfolds.