With ED joining the probe against the arrested IAS officer K.Rajesh, already under investigation by CBI, would not foresee a respite in near future it seems. The 2011 batch IAS officer is being investigated for serious charges of corruption during his tenure as the collector of Surendranagar district. The officer is accused of issuing arms licenses to ineligible people in exchange for monetary benefit.
The probe is led by Assistant Director of Enforcement Directorate Raj Singh. The witnesses who had given statements to CBI had been called by ED also. Those questioned include former BJP MP from Surendranagar Soma Ganda Patel and Manish Acharya, a Deputy Mamlatdar in the Surendranagar Collectorate.
Manish Acharya was asked to provide documents related to the issuance of arms licences during the tenure of K Rajesh. He was also asked about the expenses made on Independence in 2018 and for an event organized for a political leader in 2019.
K. Rajesh had issued 271 arms licenses during his tenure. It is learnt that out of these, 101 arms licenses were issued despite the negative recommendations of the District Superintendent of Police. Not only that, 38 licences were given to government employees working under Surendranagar District Collector.
K Rajesh, later transferred to sachivalaya as a joint secretary in the state government’s general administration department, was arrested by the CBI on July 14.
Also Read: First Day CBI Remand of IAS K Rajesh: Gun License Allottees Under Scanner
