Karauli (Rajasthan): In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kajal Meena along with two associates while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹60,000. The case has sent shockwaves through administrative circles, especially given the officer’s promising academic and professional background.
Caught Red-Handed in ACB Trap Operation
According to officials, Kajal Meena, posted in Nadauti sub-division of Karauli district, was allegedly caught accepting a ₹60,000 bribe through her Reader Dinesh Kumar Saini and Senior Assistant Praveen Dhakad.
The operation was conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Sawai Madhopur unit under the supervision of senior officers. The accused were apprehended inside the SDM office at the moment the bribe was handed over.
A significant recovery of around ₹4 lakh in “suspicious” cash was also made during the raid. Officials have confirmed that the source and purpose of this additional amount are currently under investigation.
Bribe Linked to Land Dispute Case
As per the ACB, the bribe was allegedly demanded in exchange for issuing the final decree in a land dispute case.
Govind Gupta, Director General of ACB, stated that a complaint was filed alleging harassment and a demand of ₹1 lakh, which was later negotiated down to ₹50,000.
During verification, it was found that:
- ₹50,000 was allegedly demanded on behalf of the SDM
- ₹10,000 was allegedly sought by the Reader
Following confirmation, the ACB laid a trap and caught the accused while accepting ₹60,000.
How the Trap Was Executed
The complainant was instructed to visit the SDM office in Nadauti with the bribe amount. As soon as the money was exchanged, the ACB team—already stationed nearby—swiftly moved in and arrested all three accused.
Investigations revealed that the Reader accepted the money and passed it to the Senior Assistant, from whose bag both the bribe amount and additional cash were recovered.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior officials including:
- Dr Rameshwar Singh
- Smita Srivastava
- S Parimala
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.
From IIT Graduate to RAS Officer
Kajal Meena’s journey had been widely regarded as inspiring before the controversy.
- She is a 2024-batch Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer
- Secured top rank in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category
- Holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Mandi
Before joining RAS, she had also worked as:
- Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Department of Telecommunications
- Officer in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
She had also been selected as a Junior Engineer (JEN) in 2017 but did not join.
Early Career and Postings
Kajal Meena began her administrative career as:
- Assistant Collector (Under Training) in Tonk
- Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Suhagpura, Pratapgarh
She took charge as SDM in Nadauti, Karauli, in October 2025—making this her second major posting.
Notably, she hails from Badoli village in Sawai Madhopur district, close to her current place of posting.
Controversy in Early Career Stage
The case has drawn significant attention as it involves an officer in the early stage of her career. Reports suggest that allegations of misuse of authority had begun surfacing within months of her posting.
The recovery of ₹4 lakh in cash has further intensified scrutiny, with investigators probing whether it indicates a larger pattern of illegal collections.
Conclusion
The arrest of Kajal Meena highlights the continued vigilance of anti-corruption agencies and raises serious concerns about integrity within public administration. As investigations proceed, the case is likely to have wider implications for governance and accountability in the region.
