SECI Chief Sacked Over Fake Reliance Power Docs Scandal

New Delhi – In a dramatic shakeup in India’s renewable energy sector, the central government has removed Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Chairman and Managing Director R.P. Gupta following a scandal involving forged documents submitted by Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power. The decision, which sources say was executed “with immediate effect,” is being viewed as a major crackdown on procedural corruption at the highest level.

While the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has not officially stated the reason for Gupta’s abrupt exit, high-level sources confirm that the sacking stems from serious lapses in due diligence and oversight during a multi-crore solar tender floated by SECI.

At the center of the controversy is a fake bank guarantee submitted by Reliance Power. The company had claimed it was backed by the State Bank of India (SBI), but when the documents were verified, SBI not only denied issuing the guarantee but also flagged the email ID used as fraudulent.

A senior official, requesting anonymity, stated:“This wasn’t just a procedural slip—it was a systemic failure of internal controls. SECI allowed a major player with questionable credentials to slip through the cracks. We can’t afford that kind of risk.”

Despite red flags, Reliance Power was initially allowed to participate in the bidding, raising serious concerns about Gupta’s role in overriding checks. It was only after SBI’s formal refusal that SECI was compelled to cancel the tender and blacklist Reliance Power from future bids.

Gupta, a retired Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, had been serving as SECI’s chief since June 2023 and was originally due to retire next month. However, the fallout from the fake documents scandal forced the government to act ahead of schedule, say sources.

Insiders also reveal that this is not an isolated instance. SECI has faced criticism in recent months for disputes with major players like JSW Energy and Adani, hinting at a broader issue of inadequate vetting and transparency in the tender process.

An energy sector analyst noted:“This scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time—SECI is gearing up to float 20 GW of renewable tenders annually. The credibility of the agency is at stake.”