The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Ahmedabad Fire Brigade has been arrested alongside a middleman for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs 36,000 to issue Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in the city. This incident was reported by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which acted upon a complaint made by the affected party.

According to reports, applications for the Fire NOCs were submitted through the online portal managed by the Gujarat government. The middleman, Bhavsinh Jhala, reportedly demanded Rs 6,000 for each NOC, culminating in a total demand of Rs 36,000.

The complainant approached the ACB in Vadodara after refusing to comply with the bribe request, signalling an intent to report the misconduct. This led to an immediate investigation and subsequent action by the ACB.

ACB Initiates Trap and Arrests Officials

In response to the complaint, the ACB set up a trap under the supervision of an Assistant Director. The operation concluded with the arrest of Bhavsinh Jhala at Yash Complex in Ahmedabad’s Memnagar area, where he was allegedly collecting the agreed bribe amount.

Officials indicated that Jhala had arrived at the location on the explicit instructions of CFO Amit Dongre. The agency managed to gather crucial evidence against both individuals through recorded discussions, further substantiating the allegations of bribery.

Subsequent legal proceedings have been initiated against both Amit Dongre and Bhavsinh Jhala. The ACB is now looking into the legitimacy of Fire NOCs that were issued or renewed by Dongre during his tenure as CFO, indicating a broader investigation into the department’s operations.

Wider Investigation Expected into Fire Clearance Processes

Authorities are extending their scrutiny beyond the immediate case, launching inquiries into financial irregularities potentially linked to both accused individuals. This includes examining their bank accounts and assets to assess any wrongdoing.

The ramifications of these arrests may lead to further investigations into the fire clearance processes in Ahmedabad, raising questions about possible systemic issues within the Fire Department. Officials are particularly interested in ascertaining whether other staff members were also engaged in similar corrupt practices.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining integrity within governmental operations, especially in processes that are critical for public safety and infrastructure. The ACB’s actions signal a commitment to addressing corruption and restoring public trust in civic institutions.

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