The arrest comes a day after the ED carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations linked to Surendranagar District Collector Rajendra Patel and other officials. The operation, conducted on December 24, began early in the morning and continued through the day, involving more than eight ED vehicles and heavy police deployment.
According to officials familiar with the proceedings, separate ED teams searched two locations in Wadhwan and Surendranagar town. One team carried out a prolonged search at the official bungalow of the district collector, while another team simultaneously raided the residence of Deputy Mamlatdar Mori in Ravalvas area of Wadhwan.
The search at the collector’s residence reportedly continued for nearly 14 consecutive hours. ED officials maintained strict confidentiality during the operation and declined to comment on the record. However, sources indicated that the probe is linked to alleged financial irregularities, including suspected benami transactions and accumulation of disproportionate assets.
During the course of the investigation, the role of a Surendranagar-based lawyer reportedly emerged, prompting ED officials to visit his premises as well. Sources also suggested that transactions related to land and development activities in Naviyani village of Dasada taluka and Talsana village of Lakhtar taluka are under scrutiny.
Unconfirmed reports have further pointed to the possible involvement of the collector’s personal assistant, though no official statement has been issued in this regard.
The ED is expected to press for custodial interrogation of the arrested deputy mamlatdar to trace financial trails, identify beneficiaries and gather documentary evidence. The agency has indicated that further action cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
Senior district officials and the state administration have so far refrained from commenting on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the probe.
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