In a significant crackdown on administrative corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Kota unit intercepted Ramvilas Meena, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Panchayat Samiti Kotri, Bhilwara, and recovered ₹1.55 lakh in unaccounted cash.
The operation was carried out late on the night of March 10, 2026, at the Hanging Bridge toll plaza on the Kota-Chittorgarh road. Acting on a confidential tip-off, the ACB team led by DSP Anish Ahmed intercepted Meena’s Maruti Swift as he was traveling toward his hometown in Kota.
The intelligence suggested that Meena, who had recently been placed under “Awaiting Posting Order” (APO) status, was allegedly transporting money extorted from contractors in exchange for clearing backdated bills before handing over his charge.
During the thorough search of the vehicle, ACB officials discovered a total of ₹1,55,275 hidden in the dashboard and other compartments. When questioned about the source of the cash, the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, offering contradictory statements that further fueled the bureau’s suspicions. Initially, Meena claimed the amount was a loan from a local Pradhan, but later changed his story to name another individual.
However, telephonic verifications conducted by the bureau during the trap failed to corroborate his claims. The investigation revealed that Meena had officially taken charge and was relieved on the same day he was intercepted, suggesting a rushed attempt to collect illicit funds before his departure from the post.
As a result of the recovery and the lack of a credible explanation, the ACB registered an FIR (No. 0109/2026) under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). Following the interception, the bureau also conducted a search at the officer’s residence in the Nayagaon Awanli Rojadi area of Kota to identify any further evidence of disproportionate assets.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mukul Sharma has been appointed as the lead investigating officer to oversee the detailed probe into the matter. To ensure the integrity of the evidence, the entire operation at the toll plaza and the subsequent questioning were documented through videography, which has been secured as part of the legal proceedings against the disgraced official.
