Devgadh Baria Fire Brigade Vehicle Used To Clean Former Minister Bachu Khabad’s House, Video Goes Viral
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A video purportedly showing a Devgadh Baria Municipality fire brigade vehicle being used to clean the residence of former Gujarat minister and Devgadh Baria MLA Bachubhai Khabad ahead of Diwali has triggered questions over the use of municipal resources for private purposes.
According to the details in the video and statements attributed to municipal officials, a fire tender travelled around 25 km from Devgadh Baria to Pipero village in Dhanpur taluka, where high-pressure water equipment was used to clean the exterior of Khabad’s residence.
Fire Tender Sent To Pipero For Cleaning
The viral footage shows the fire brigade team using water jets to clean the bungalow ahead of the Diwali festival.
The residence is located in Khabad’s hometown area of Pipero, around 25 km from Devgadh Baria. The deployment has raised questions because fire brigade vehicles are primarily intended for emergency response and are expected to remain available for fires and other emergencies.
The use of the vehicle involved municipal resources including the fire tender, water, fuel, equipment and staff.
Fire Officer Says Instructions Came From Civic Officials
Fire Officer Mayur Chauhan said the vehicle was sent after instructions from Municipality President Dharmesh Kalal and Chief Officer Vaishaliben Ninama.
Chauhan also acknowledged that there is no provision allowing the fire brigade to be used to wash a private residence.
He said a government charge of ₹2,700 was subsequently collected, calculated at ₹45 per kilometre.
Questions Over Use Of Public Resources
The incident has sparked discussion over whether payment of the prescribed charge can justify the deployment of an emergency vehicle and municipal staff for cleaning a private property.
The fire tender's 25-km journey also meant expenditure on diesel, water and staff time, while the vehicle was away from its usual operating area.
The viral video has brought renewed attention to the use of municipal machinery and services, particularly when emergency equipment is deployed for purposes unrelated to firefighting or disaster response.
Khabad’s Political Background Draws Attention
The incident has also attracted attention because the property belongs to Bachubhai Khabad, who previously served as a minister in the Gujarat government.
The development comes against the backdrop of a multi-crore alleged scam in Devgadh Baria taluka, following which Khabad was dropped from the new state cabinet after allegations concerning the involvement of his two sons came to light.
The allegations and the circumstances surrounding the municipal deployment are separate issues, and the viral video does not by itself establish any wrongdoing by Khabad.
The use of the fire brigade vehicle, however, has raised questions over the manner in which municipal resources were deployed and the instructions under which the operation was carried out.
