The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended A.B. Chaudhary,a senior official in Gujarat's Energy Department,amid allegations of corruption linked to solar panel project approvals. The arrest,made on Saturday, follows probe into Chaudhary's activities as the Chief Electrical Inspector at Udyog Bhavan in Gandhinagar,where he is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) without conducting necessary site inspections.
Officials reported that investigation began when intelligence suggested Chaudhary was collecting illicit payments, even while commuting home in his official vehicle after work hours . On Saturday evening,ACB teams intercepted his vehicle, uncovering ₹5.51 lakh in cash along with gift vouchers that he could not adequately explain.
Subsequent searches at his residences in Gandhinagar and Surat revealed assets totaling over ₹2.64 crore. This included ₹1.76 crore in cash and valuables like gold and silver items worth approximately ₹88.82 lakh. The ACB indicated that these findings point to assets that are disproportionate to Chaudhary's declared income,prompting a more extensive investigation into his financial dealings and the approval processes for solar projects .
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding corruption within public service sectors in India,particularly in context of renewable energy initiatives. The ACB's actions reflect broader commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability among government officials.
