₹1,500 crore land scam: ED arrests former Surendranagar collector Rajendra Patel
₹1,500 crore land scam: ED arrests former Surendranagar collector Rajendra Patel
₹1,500 crore land scam: ED arrests former Surendranagar collector Rajendra Patel
Updated: Jan 2nd, 2026
In a development that has sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s administrative circles, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Rajendra Patel, the former collector of Surendranagar, in connection with an alleged ₹1,500 crore land scam.
After hours of questioning at his residence in Gandhinagar, three ED teams took him into custody. Officials said Patel was questioned for nearly three hours. He will now be produced before a special court, where the agency is expected to seek his remand.
The case relates to large-scale irregularities in converting agricultural land to non-agricultural (NA) status in Surendranagar. Serious allegations of corruption involving transactions worth crores of rupees had surfaced in this process. Considering the gravity of the matter, the ED had conducted raids on December 23, 2025, at the residences of the Surendranagar collector and other senior officials.
- Investigations revealed that there were alleged financial dealings involving huge sums in exchange for granting NA permissions by misusing official authority. Earlier, a case had also been registered under anti-corruption laws at the Surendranagar unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
ED raids at Gandhinagar residence
- From early morning on Wednesday, three separate ED teams reached Rajendra Patel’s Gandhinagar residence. According to sources, during the prolonged questioning, Patel failed to provide satisfactory answers, following which the agency arrested him.The probe is not limited to the former collector alone. Several other officials are also under scrutiny in the case. Earlier, cases were registered against Chandrasinh Mori (deputy mamlatdar), Mayur Gohil (clerk in the collector’s office), and Jayrajsinh Zala (personal assistant to the collector).
- After signs of the scam first emerged and the investigation began, the state government had immediately transferred Rajendra Patel from Surendranagar. However, the ED continued to investigate the money laundering and corruption angles
- which has now culminated in his arrest.
