Overview
- Patel was arrested on January 2 and a Special PMLA court in Ahmedabad granted five days of Enforcement Directorate custody until January 7.
- The ED told the court bribe rates of ₹5–₹10 per sq m were fixed on CLU applications processed via the IORA portal, with records of collections kept in “hisaab” sheets and routed through intermediaries.
- The agency alleged a 50% share for Patel, cited WhatsApp and digital entries, and said the district collector was the final approving authority for the applications.
- More than 800 CLU files have been traced with estimated proceeds of crime above ₹10 crore, and ₹67.5 lakh in cash was recovered from deputy mamlatdar Chandrasinh Mori, who gave a statement admitting bribe collections.
- The Gujarat ACB registered an FIR against Patel, PA Jayrajsinh Zala, clerk Mayursinh Gohil, and Mori, as the defence contests the arrest and money trail while the ED continues asset‑tracing and layering inquiries.