Gandhinagar chief electrical inspector booked in DA case, assets worth ₹2.64cr seized

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case of disproportionate assets against a senior state govt official after recovering cash, gold, silver and other valuables worth Rs 2.64 crore from his govt vehicle and residences in Gandhinagar and Surat.

The accused, A B Chaudhary, a Class I officer serving as chief electrical inspector at Udyog Bhavan in Gandhinagar, was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a probe into allegations that he has amassed assets beyond his known sources of income.

According to the ACB, officials received information that Chaudhary allegedly issued no-objection certificates (NOCs) for solar power projects without mandatory site inspections. In return, he allegedly accepted bribes from businessmen and applicants seeking approvals.

Acting on the tip-off, an ACB team kept surveillance on the officer and his govt-issued vehicle. On Saturday evening, the team intercepted Chaudhary while he was heading home after office. During a search of the official vehicle, investigators recovered Rs 5.51 lakh in cash along with gift vouchers. ACB officials said Chaudhary failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the money.

Subsequent searches were carried out at his residences in Gandhinagar and Surat. The raids led to the seizure of cash amounting to Rs 1.76 crore, besides gold and silver bars, jewellery and coins valued at approximately Rs 88.82 lakh. In all, assets worth Rs 2.64 crore were recovered from the three locations, the ACB said.

Officials stated that during questioning, Chaudhary could not furnish supporting documents or provide a convincing explanation for possessing the recovered wealth. Investigators suspect the assets were accumulated through corrupt practices and illegal gratification.

Police inspector P N Khokhra lodged a complaint at the Gandhinagar ACB police station, leading to the registration of an offence on Sunday under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.