The Gujarat High Court has rejected the bail application of suspended IAS officer R M Patel in a money laundering case tied to an alleged bribery scheme for land-use approvals.
Justice H D Suthar delivered the 48-page judgment on Monday. The court found that Patel failed to meet the conditions under Section 45 of the PMLA Act. Evidence presented by the Enforcement Directorate included 800 photographs of land-use applications on Patel's phone and a Google search for resetting a Samsung S24 Ultra device one day before the raid.
The case originated from a December 2025 search at the home of Deputy Mamlatdar Chandrasinh Mori, which uncovered cash and bribe records. The ED alleged Patel, as Surendranagar collector from February 2025, received 50 percent of bribes totaling Rs 3.12 crore. Standardized rates were cited as Rs 10 per square metre under the Gujarat Land Revenue Code.
Patel's counsel argued the allegations lacked independent evidence and that the system predated his appointment. The court rejected these points, noting the economic offence's impact and Patel's authority over the IORA portal approvals. It also dismissed medical grounds for bail.