Rajasthan: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Kajal Meena, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Nadauti, red-handed, accepting a bribe of ₹60,000. During this operation, the ACB also arrested the SDM’s Reader Dinesh Saini, and a UDC (Clerk) Praveen Dhakad. The team also recovered suspicious cash amounting to ₹4 lakh from the accused during the operation. This entire incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
Nadauti is the second posting of SDM Kajal Meena as a Sub-Divisional Officer. She assumed charge in Nadauti on October 30, 2025, following her transfer from Suhagpura in Pratapgarh district.
A complainant had lodged a grievance with the Sawai Madhopur ACB outpost, alleging that SDM Kajal Meena, through her Reader Dinesh Saini, was demanding a bribe in exchange for issuing the final decree (partition order) regarding his land. Initially, a sum of ₹1 lakh was demanded, which was subsequently negotiated down to ₹50,000. During the verification process, it came to light that the Reader had demanded ₹50,000 for the SDM and an additional ₹10,000 for himself.
After verifying the complaint, the ACB team devised a trap strategy. On April 16, 2026, the complainant was summoned to the Sub-Divisional Office in Nadauti, where the bribe amount was to be handed over. The moment the sum of ₹60,000 was handed over, the ACB team entered and arrested all three individuals red-handed at the scene. The subsequent investigation revealed that the Reader Dinesh Saini, had accepted the money and subsequently handed it over to Senior Assistant Praveen Dhakad.
The notes that were handed over to the clerk had a special chemical on them. When ACB conducted the test, it was verified that the notes were the same.
During the operation, the ACB team recovered not only the bribe amount of ₹60,000 but also an additional ₹4 lakh in suspicious cash from Praveen Dhakad’s bag. This additional sum is suspected to be proceeds from illegal extortion. Currently, the ACB team is interrogating the accused, and an in-depth investigation into the matter is underway.
