Daijiworld Media Network – Jaipur

Jaipur, May 7: In a significant development, Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) MLA Jayakrishna Patel from Bagidaura (Banswara) was sent to judicial custody on Wednesday by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in connection with a Rs 20 lac bribery case.

Alongside the legislator, his cousin Vijay Patel was also remanded to judicial custody for their alleged involvement in the corruption scandal. Meanwhile, the ACB secured partial police remand for Jaswant alias Laxman Meena and Jagram, who are accused of receiving and hiding the bribe money for two days on behalf of MLA Patel’s personal assistant, Rohit Meena.

ACB officials informed the court that Jayakrishna Patel was not cooperating during interrogation. “Key evidence is stored in his mobile phone, and a confrontation with Vijay Patel may help uncover more about the bribery transaction,” the ACB submitted, emphasizing the need for further investigation.

The case took a twist when the ACB discovered a shortfall of Rs 83,000 from the seized bag that initially held Rs 20 lac. Jaswant and Jagram, who are under police remand, reportedly claimed possession of two different backpacks, but officials suspect a portion of the cash was siphoned off.

Investigators are currently tracing the missing money to determine whether it was diverted to the MLA's residence, taken away by Rohit Meena, or hidden at the homes of the intermediaries.
Search operations continue to locate Rohit Meena, who has remained absconding since the scandal broke. Despite multiple raids, he remains untraceable, and efforts to find him at his residence and other known locations have yielded no results.

Further compounding suspicion, MLA Patel has denied knowing Jaswant and Jagram and is reportedly not assisting in tracing his personal assistant, Rohit. His silence has raised further questions about his involvement in the entire operation.

The case continues to unfold with the ACB intensifying its efforts to get to the root of the bribery network.