In a development that has sent ripples through Gujarat’s administrative establishment, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Rajendra Patel, former collector of Surendranagar, in connection with an alleged ₹1,500-crore land scam.
Patel was taken into custody after nearly three hours of questioning at his residence in Gandhinagar by three ED teams.
Officials said Patel will be produced before a special court, where the agency is likely to seek his remand.
The case pertains to large-scale irregularities in the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural (NA) status in Surendranagar, involving transactions worth crores of rupees. Serious allegations of corruption and misuse of official authority have emerged during the investigation.
Considering the gravity of the matter, the ED had earlier conducted raids on December 23, 2025, at the residences of the then Surendranagar collector and other senior officials.
Investigators found alleged financial dealings involving huge sums of money in exchange for granting NA permissions. A separate case had also been registered under anti-corruption laws by the Surendranagar unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
ED raids at Gandhinagar residence
Three ED teams arrived at Rajendra Patel’s Gandhinagar residence early Wednesday morning. Sources said that during the prolonged interrogation, Patel failed to give satisfactory explanations, prompting the agency to place him under arrest.
Other officials under scanner
The probe extends beyond the former collector. Several other officials are under investigation, including Chandrasinh Mori, deputy mamlatdar; Mayur Gohil, a clerk in the collector’s office; and Jayrajsinh Zala, the personal assistant to the collector.
After the alleged scam first came to light, the state government had transferred Rajendra Patel from Surendranagar.
However, the ED continued its investigation into the money-laundering and corruption aspects of the case, which has now culminated in his arrest.