A media sting operation in December 2025 exposed alleged corruption in Rajasthan's MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) fund scheme, in which elected legislators across party lines were accused of demanding commissions for recommending development works. The three accused MLAs are BJP's Rewant Ram Danga (Khinvsar constituency, Nagaur), Congress' Anita Jatav, and Independent MLA Ritu Banawat. According to the sting footage, BJP MLA Danga allegedly demanded a 40% commission to secure a ₹50 lakh development contract, while Congress MLA Jatav allegedly accepted ₹50,000 as token money for a works recommendation. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma responded with a 'zero tolerance' stance, ordering a high-level inquiry committee chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner. The LAD accounts of all three accused MLAs' constituencies were frozen and all pending works approvals halted. The Assembly Speaker referred the matter to the Ethics Committee of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, which summoned all three legislators on December 19, 2025. During the hearing, none of the three MLAs produced corroborating evidence; all denied the allegations and sought additional time — granted 15 days to Danga, 7 days to Jatav, and 10 days to Banawat. Former CM Ashok Gehlot called the development 'extremely serious and concerning' and demanded a comprehensive probe. The MLA-LAD scheme provides elected members a fixed annual fund (₹5 crore per MLA in Rajasthan) for development works in their constituencies; misuse allegations have periodically surfaced across states, raising questions about oversight mechanisms and accountability in local area development.
Rajasthan MLA-LAD Fund Sting Operation: Ethics Committee Probes Three MLAs for Demanding Commission; CM Bhajan Lal Orders Zero-Tolerance Inquiry
A media sting operation in December 2025 exposed alleged corruption in Rajasthan's MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) fund scheme, in which elected legislators across party lines were accused of demanding commissions for recommending development works. The three accused MLAs are BJP's Rewant Ram Danga (Khinvsar constituency, Nagaur), Congress' Anita Jatav, and Independent MLA Ritu Banawat. According to the sting footage, BJP MLA Danga allegedly demanded a 40% commission to secure a ₹50 lakh development contract, while Congress MLA Jatav allegedly accepted ₹50,000 as token money for a works recommendation. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma responded with a 'zero tolerance' stance, ordering a high-level inquiry committee chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner. The LAD accounts of all three accused MLAs' constituencies were frozen and all pending works approvals halted. The Assembly Speaker referred the matter to the Ethics Committee of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, which summoned all three legislators on December 19, 2025. During the hearing, none of the three MLAs produced corroborating evidence; all denied the allegations and sought additional time — granted 15 days to Danga, 7 days to Jatav, and 10 days to Banawat. Former CM Ashok Gehlot called the development 'extremely serious and concerning' and demanded a comprehensive probe. The MLA-LAD scheme provides elected members a fixed annual fund (₹5 crore per MLA in Rajasthan) for development works in their constituencies; misuse allegations have periodically surfaced across states, raising questions about oversight mechanisms and accountability in local area development.
Key facts
- A media sting operation exposed alleged corruption in Rajasthan's MLA-LAD fund in December 2025.
- Three MLAs accused: BJP's Rewantram Danga, Congress' Anita Jatav, and Independent Ritu Banawat.
- BJP MLA Danga allegedly demanded 40% commission on a ₹50 lakh development contract.
- CM Bhajanlal Sharma ordered zero-tolerance inquiry chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner.
- LAD accounts of all three MLAs' constituencies were frozen and pending works halted.
- MLA-LAD provides ₹5 crore per MLA annually in Rajasthan for constituency development works.
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In the December 2025 Rajasthan MLA-LAD sting-operation inquiry, who headed the high-level committee ordered by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma?
After the December 2025 MLA-LAD bribery allegations in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ordered a four-member high-level inquiry. The panel was headed by State Chief Vigilance Commissioner Bhaskar Sawant. Other options name institutions or offices not reported as heading this inquiry.
Source: ETV Bharat / DevDiscourse / ANI News / ProKerala / The420.in / SocialNews XYZ
Frequently asked questions
What is the MLA-LAD fund in Rajasthan and how much does each MLA receive annually?
The MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) fund provides each MLA in Rajasthan with ₹5 crore annually for constituency development works such as roads, drains, schools, and community infrastructure. MLAs recommend projects, which are then approved and executed by local government bodies.
Which three MLAs were accused in the Rajasthan MLA-LAD fund sting operation of December 2025?
The three accused MLAs were BJP's Rewant Ram Danga (Khinvsar constituency, Nagaur), Congress' Anita Jatav, and Independent MLA Ritu Banawat. They were alleged to have demanded commissions for recommending development works under the MLA-LAD fund.
What commission did BJP MLA Rewantram Danga allegedly demand according to the sting footage?
According to the sting footage, BJP MLA Rewant Ram Danga allegedly demanded a 40% commission to secure a ₹50 lakh development contract under the MLA-LAD fund in the Khinvsar constituency of Nagaur district.
What action did CM Bhajanlal Sharma take following the MLA-LAD sting operation?
CM Bhajanlal Sharma ordered a zero-tolerance inquiry chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner. He also directed the freezing of LAD accounts of all three accused MLAs' constituencies and halted pending work approvals, signalling strict accountability measures.
What is the role of a State Vigilance Commissioner in investigating government corruption in Rajasthan?
The State Chief Vigilance Commissioner heads an independent body that investigates allegations of corruption, misconduct, and misuse of funds by public officials and elected representatives. The Commissioner reports findings to the government and recommends disciplinary or legal action.
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