Rajkot: The driver of a Rajasthan cadre IAS officer was arrested on Friday for allegedly misusing the officer’s name and position to conduct financial transactions and leaking official documents. The officer, Pratibha Dahiya (2022 batch), had lodged a complaint while serving as an assistant collector in Bhavnagar.
An FIR was registered at the Neelambag police station against Momin Pathan, who has been booked under sections 318(2), 212, 204, 228, and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, impersonation, theft, destruction of evidence, among other charges.
Complaint Details
In her complaint, Dahiya stated that on March 17, an audio and video clip of Pathan went viral on social media, indicating he was misusing her name, office affiliation, and position for financial gain. The video allegedly showed Pathan taking unauthorised photos of office documents and participating in confidential conversations.
CCTV Footage and Alleged Bribe
Earlier in March, CCTV footage of Pathan went viral, reportedly showing him demanding money to issue a positive order in a case under the Disturbed Area Act, and allegedly accepting bribes. A copy of an order of the prant officer regarding land was leaked, which Pathan allegedly handed to the applicant. Dahiya clarified at the time that the order was merely a draft, emphasizing that no property under the Disturbed Area Act can be sold without the collector’s permission.
Arrest and Investigation
Bhavnagar DySP R.R. Singhal stated: “Pathan went underground after the clips surfaced, but was tracked down and arrested on Friday.”
Police investigations will include:
- Recording the statement of the person seen giving money in the CCTV footage
- Determining whether Pathan was acting on behalf of someone else
- Tracing the use of the money collected
- Identifying those who may have helped him gain unauthorised access to SDM office documents
