Vasundhara Raje

A complaint accused Raje, several ministers and officials of using their offices to favour an Anand Mahindra-linked project in a land/SEZ transaction that the complainant valued at approximately ₹5,000 crore.

State of the evidence

court complaint documented; allegations not established

Legal status — source text

complaint dismissed by Jaipur court in 2025 for insufficient evidence

Attribution

personal favouritism allegations, with favourable judicial outcome

Opponents alleged that Raje and her son had claimed as private property land adjoining Dholpur Palace that they described as state-owned, and had obtained compensation connected with a road project. Delhi High Court dismissed a petition requesting an FIR/CBI investigation.

State of the evidence

allegations and litigation documented

Legal status — source text

Delhi High Court dismissed a request for FIR/CBI investigation in 2018; no guilt established

Attribution

direct allegations against Raje and her son, with favourable procedural outcome

The Raje government adopted an ordinance and then introduced a bill requiring, among other things, prior authorisation to investigate public officials and restricting publication of their identities. Lawyers, media and opposition parties condemned it as a major infringement of press freedom and anti-corruption efforts.

State of the evidence

ordinance, bill and withdrawal documented

Legal status — source text

bill ultimately withdrawn; no personal criminal proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility as head of government who advanced the measure

During Raje's Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra, a PIL challenged the use of government resources and organisation of public ceremonies along the route of a political tour. The High Court considered that such programmes risked glorifying the party and imposed restrictions.

State of the evidence

PIL and High Court order documented

Legal status — source text

High Court prohibited government programmes along the yatra; no personal criminal conviction

Attribution

direct political responsibility for a BJP tour supported by the government

The death of gangster Anandpal Singh during a police operation was denounced by his family and Rajput groups as a 'fake encounter', sparking major protests and clashes. After initially resisting the demands, the Raje government eventually recommended a CBI investigation.

State of the evidence

encounter, family's challenge and decision to refer to CBI documented

Legal status — source text

CBI investigation recommended; no personal criminal responsibility of Raje established

Attribution

government responsibility for a disputed police operation

Eight Persian carpets belonging to a public hotel were allegedly sent to the Chief Minister's office and residence and never returned or rented under the prescribed terms. An FIR named officials; the case was politically associated with Raje.

State of the evidence

FIR, investigation and court decisions documented

Legal status — source text

police filed closure report; High Court then Supreme Court dismissed CBI requests; Supreme Court reportedly noted absence of evidence of Raje's role

Attribution

controversy linked to requests from Chief Minister's office, with evidential outcome favourable to Raje

A document attributed to Vasundhara Raje, dated 2011, indicated her support for Lalit Modi's UK immigration application and specified that her assistance should remain confidential from Indian authorities. Its disclosure in 2015 prompted calls for her resignation.

State of the evidence

document and political controversy documented

Legal status — source text

no personal conviction established

Attribution

alleged personal responsibility for supporting Lalit Modi's application

Tax and ED documents reported in the press indicated that in 2010 Raje travelled on a chartered aircraft arranged by Lalit Modi, who allegedly paid the bill. The controversy merged with Modi's investments in a company linked to her son Dushyant, regarded as suspicious by the opposition.

State of the evidence

tax/ED documents and political allegations reported

Legal status — source text

no personal conviction established

Attribution

alleged closeness and benefits; some financial flows concerned her son Dushyant Singh

The opposition denounced awards of hundreds of mining concessions without auction. The ACB and ED investigated, and a senior Mining Department official was arrested. The Raje government cancelled more than 500 letters of intent and ordered a Lokayukta investigation.

State of the evidence

allegations, investigations and cancellation of letters of intent documented

Legal status — source text

ACB/ED investigations involving officials, among others; no personal conviction of Raje

Attribution

governance responsibility; civil servants' conduct must not automatically be attributed to Raje

An FIR was registered against Raje and others concerning preferential-price allotment of land to a trust she chaired. The controversy concerned possible abuse of public office benefiting a politically affiliated organisation.

State of the evidence

FIR and judicial decision documented

Legal status — source text

Rajasthan High Court quashed FIR in 2015, noting in particular that the allotment had been withdrawn and the transaction had not been completed

Attribution

Raje named as trust official; favourable judicial outcome

Protests by the Gurjar community demanding a change to its reservation status escalated into violence and police shootings, causing several deaths. The Raje government's handling of the crisis was strongly contested.

State of the evidence

deaths and clashes documented

Legal status — source text

no personal criminal proceedings established against Raje

Attribution

political responsibility as head of government; no attribution of a personal order to shoot