Gujarat ACB Nabs Class-1 Officer in Rs.2.64 Crore Solar NOC Bribery Case

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — In a major corruption crackdown, the Anti-Corruption Bureau Gujarat has arrested a Class-1 officer of the Electrical Inspection Office under the Energy Department in Gandhinagar for allegedly accepting a ₹5 lakh bribe for issuing solar panel approvals.

The accused, identified as A.B. Chaudhary, was caught red-handed during a trap operation laid after a complaint alleged that he demanded illegal gratification in exchange for granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for solar projects. Officials said the officer was intercepted while accepting the bribe, which was recovered from his Swift Dzire car.

Following the arrest, the ACB launched extensive searches at his residential premises in Gandhinagar and Surat, uncovering a massive cache of unaccounted assets. Officials recovered ₹1.76 crore in cash, along with gold and silver ornaments, coins, and other valuables worth ₹88.82 lakh. Including cash found in the vehicle, the total seizure stood at ₹2.64 crore.

ACB officials revealed that preliminary investigation indicates the officer allegedly cleared nearly 100 solar project files within a week without mandatory site inspections. Sources further alleged that approvals were being issued in violation of procedure, raising concerns over systemic irregularities in solar project clearances.

A senior ACB official said, “The complaint indicated that approvals were being granted without site verification in exchange for bribes. A trap was laid based on verified inputs, leading to the officer’s arrest red-handed.”

Officials also stated that surveillance had been mounted after intelligence suggested repeated movement of cash using a government vehicle. The investigation is now focusing on tracing additional financial transactions and possible involvement of other individuals in the suspected clearance racket.

The accused reportedly owns a flat in Surat’s Shilpa Residency on VIP Road, which is also under scrutiny as part of the ongoing probe.

The ACB has confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption network and identify any additional beneficiaries involved in the case.