The ethics committee of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly conducted a crucial hearing on Wednesday, questioning Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) legislator Jaykrishn Patel, who is facing serious corruption charges. Patel was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in May last year on allegations of accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh to withdraw questions related to mining matters in the Assembly.
MLA Presents Defence Before Panel
During the proceedings, Jaykrishn Patel appeared before the committee to present his side of the story. The MLA submitted additional facts and evidence to support his claim of innocence in the high-profile case. Patel also requested more time from the panel to furnish further material in his defence. The committee, after hearing his submissions, stated it would examine the provided documents thoroughly.
ACB Updates on Investigation Status
In a significant parallel development, the ethics committee also summoned and questioned ACB investigating officer Sandeep Saraswat regarding the current status of the probe. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Saraswat revealed that he informed the committee about the investigation's progress. "The investigation has been completed," Saraswat stated, adding, "Chargesheet against two more accused who were held will be filed in court soon. The committee asked questions related to the chargesheet that was presented earlier."
Committee's Next Steps and Serious Allegations
Committee chairman Kailash Verma underscored the gravity of the accusations against the MLA. "Very serious allegations were made against the MLA. We listened to both sides today," Verma said. He outlined the committee's future course of action, noting that the panel would conduct its own investigation and prepare a report. Verma added that the committee is open to seeking external legal opinions and may call Patel for another round of questioning if necessary. The final report will be submitted to the Assembly Speaker upon completion.
The case dates back to May 4, 2025, when the ACB arrested Patel based on evidence that he allegedly accepted the substantial bribe to withdraw specific questions concerning mining issues that were to be raised in the Assembly. The hearing marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal and ethical examination of the charges against the elected representative.
