Ahmedabad Fire Bribery Case: Chief Fire Officer Gets Four-Day Remand For Bhopal Locker Search

An Ahmedabad court on Wednesday granted the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) four more days of remand of Chief Fire Officer Amitkumar Dongre in an alleged ₹36,000 bribery case, allowing investigators to take him to Bhopal to search his bank locker.

ACB Seeks Locker Search In Bhopal

Dongre, 47, will be taken to Bhopal as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged bribery case. The ACB told the court that the search of his bank locker could help investigators establish whether it contains evidence or assets relevant to the case.

Dongre is among two people arrested in connection with an alleged bribe sought for facilitating fire safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in Ahmedabad.

₹36,000 Bribe Allegedly Demanded For Six NOCs

The case began after a Fire Safety Officer submitted applications through the Gujarat government's online portal seeking fire safety NOCs for six buildings.

According to the ACB, the second accused, Bhavsinh Pratapbhai Zala, 31, allegedly demanded ₹6,000 for each NOC, totalling ₹36,000, in return for facilitating their approval.

The complainant subsequently approached the Vadodara City ACB Police Station. The agency then laid a trap near Yash Aqua Complex at Vijay Crossroads in Memnagar on August 7.

The ACB alleged that Zala accepted the entire ₹36,000 from the complainant and was caught during the operation.

ACB Alleges Chief Fire Officer's Involvement

The agency also examined a telephone conversation between Zala and Dongre. According to the ACB, the conversation indicated Dongre's alleged consent to the acceptance of the bribe.

Investigators have alleged that the bribe was demanded and accepted at the behest of the Chief Fire Officer, with Zala allegedly acting as an intermediary.

Both accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Second Accused Sent To Sabarmati Jail

Zala was also produced before the court on Wednesday. The court approved a warrant and directed that he be sent to Sabarmati Central Jail.

The ACB investigation remains underway, with the Bhopal locker search forming part of efforts to determine whether further evidence or assets connected to the alleged offence can be recovered.