IAS Rajendra Vijay in ACB net; raids in Kota, Jpr, Dausa

Jaipur: The entire bureaucracy is in shock following the sudden and significant action taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau against IAS officer Rajendra Vijay in a disproportionate assets case. Notably, ACB chose Gandhi Jayanti, a public holiday, for this operation.

Rajendra Vijay, a promotee IAS officer from the 2010 batch, had assumed the role of Divisional Commissioner in Kota only seven days ago. This marked his fourth transfer to the current government. In a major IAS reshuffle in September, he was appointed as the Executive Director of RUDSICO and Project Director of RUIDP in Jaipur; however, just 18 days later, he was transferred amid a significant jump. His appointment as Divisional Commissioner in Kota sparked discussions, particularly as his 2010 batchmate, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, has been the Collector of the smaller district of Shahpura since February 2024.

Reports suggest that Rajendra Vijay had been under ACB surveillance for an extended period. Following preparations, ACB officers raided Kota’s Circuit House, where Vijay was staying and was preparing to attend a Gandhi Jayanti event. Search ops continued for 8 hours at Vijay’s two locations in Kota and one in Jaipur. His ancestral house in Dausa has also been sealed for now. Throughout his 24- year career, he held several key positions, including Additional Commissioner JDA, Collector, and DTO, and even held three responsibilities in Food and Civil Supplies dept. He notably probed the supply of substandard nutrition in mid-day meals in Baran, leading to report submitted to government.

During his tenure in the Food & Supply Department, a Government of India team inspected local ration shops, uncovering numerous irregularities and scams, which raised concerns regarding Vijay’s supervision and a complaint was made to GoI.

But perhaps the milliondollar question in administrative circles is why and how Vijay got posted in Kota and why action has been taken by ACB now. Notably, Vijay was removed from responsibility of the collector in Baran in just 12 months and Balotra in just 4 months.

The question is also being asked that ACB has taken action against IAS officers in cases of disproportionate assets in the past as well, but why did DoP show such haste in putting Rajendra Vijay on APO in just four hours?