Former MLA Baljeet Yadav Arrested by ED: Recall His 2022 Anti-Corruption Pledge on Rs 100 Bribes

Jaipur: Former MLA of Bharrod, Baljeet Yadav, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with alleged misuse of Rs 3.72 crore from the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) Fund. Following his arrest, Yadav’s past statements on fighting corruption have once again come under public scrutiny.

Yadav’s pledge against corruption

Back in 2022, while serving as an independent MLA, Baljeet Yadav had positioned himself as a crusader against corruption during the tenure of the previous Congress government. Speaking at a public event on March 6, 2022, he had vowed:

“If any employee or officer in my constituency demands even Rs 100 as a bribe, have it recorded and bring it to me. I will ensure the Rs 100 is returned, take action against the official, and reward the person who reports it with Rs 51,000.”

To symbolize his fight against corruption, Yadav famously ran a 12-hour anti-corruption marathon at Central Park, Jaipur, wearing black attire. Posters were also displayed in his constituency, promising Rs 51,000 rewards for exposing corrupt practices.

ED investigation and alleged misuse of funds

The ED action follows a search operation conducted on January 24, 2025, at 10 locations associated with Yadav in Jaipur, Dausa, and Bharrod. The operation, conducted under the PMLA framework, revealed that during 2021-22, sports kits for 32 government schools in the Bharrod constituency were purchased using the MLA LAD Fund.

According to the ED, approximately Rs 3.72 crore was spent on badminton and cricket kits, with allegations that the funds were widely misused. Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had registered an FIR and begun investigation under the PMLA in this matter.

Yadav’s arrest has reignited discussion around his 2022 pledge and his public persona as a corruption-fighting leader, contrasting sharply with the current allegations of fund misuse.