Rajasthan: Tahsildar’s driver, two others held for taking bribe

JODHPUR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested the driver of the tahsildar and a fourth class employee along with a mediator for accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The role of the tahsildar is also under the scanner in the matter.
According to sources, Madan Singh, the tahsildar’s driver, had contacted the complainant to get his pending work done at the Jodhpur Development Authority (JDA) regarding the issuance of the lease deed of his plot in the Banar area in Jodhpur.
DIG (ACB) Kailash Bishnoi said complainant Kewal Ram wanted to build a hotel.
"For this, he needed the lease deed of the plot. He contacted the JDA with the application for the lease deed. As it was taking a long time, he moved court seeking legal intervention in the matter," said Bishnoi.
The court decreed in his favour in March 2021 directing the JDA to carry out the documentary formalities leading to the issuance of the lease deed. But even the directions of the court continued to be overlooked by the JDA.
"Some time back, Madan Singh called Ram and asked him to pay Rs 50,000 to get his work by the tahsildar done. Later, Ram met the tahsildar with a request to reduce the amount, to which he acceded in gestures," said the official.
Madan Singh started building pressure on Ram to give the money as soon as possible and a fourth class employee of the tehsil office, Bhopal Singh, also joined him, he said.
Bishnoi said Madan called the complainant with money at a cabin near the tehsil office on Monday morning and advised him to hand over the money to one Himmat Singh.
"We laid a trap and the moment Ram gave the money to Himmat Singh at the designated place, we caught him and recovered the money from him. Later, when Madan Singh and Bhopal Singh reached there, we caught them also," said the official.
He said the trio were arrested and further investigation was under process, which also includes ascertaining the role of tahsildar Deepak Sankhla, who despite court’s orders, ignored the matter.
Sankhla had recently been roped in to lead a joint enforcement team to check illegal mining gravel sand in the district and its transportation.