CFO Dogra Bribery Case: ACB Finds ₹23 Lakh In QR-Code Transactions Linked To NOC Renewals

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has uncovered digital transaction records showing that ₹23 lakh was allegedly collected through QR codes by Bhavsinh Jhala, administrator to Amdavad Municipal Corporation's Chief Fire Officer Amit Dogra, in connection with fire safety NOC renewals.

Dogra, Chief Fire Officer of the AMC Fire Department, and Jhala were arrested by the ACB in an alleged bribery case. After the investigation and completion of remand proceedings, both accused were sent to jail.

₹23 Lakh Collected Through UPI And QR Codes

According to the ACB investigation, Jhala allegedly collected money from private Fire Safety Officers (FSOs) through UPI and QR codes.

The payments were allegedly collected in Dogra's name from FSOs involved in fire safety consultancy and NOC renewals. Jhala allegedly acted as the intermediary, receiving the money directly into his bank account after FSOs made payments through QR codes.

The ACB has found suspicious transactions totalling ₹23 lakh in Jhala's bank account.

Investigators suspect that the digital route was used to collect the money quickly, while the cash was allegedly later handed over to Dogra.

Cash Handed Over To Chief Fire Officer

The investigation indicates that Dogra allegedly avoided online transactions and received money from Jhala in cash.

After receiving payments in his account, Jhala allegedly withdrew the money either from the bank or ATMs before handing it over to Dogra.

The arrangement allegedly ensured that Dogra's name did not appear directly in the digital transactions.

Rate Card For NOC Renewals

The ACB had earlier uncovered an alleged rate card for the bribery network.

According to the investigation, Jhala allegedly collected commissions on behalf of Dogra ranging from ₹6,500 for a general NOC renewal to ₹10,000 for an advanced NOC renewal.

For specialist NOC renewals, the alleged commission went up to ₹25,000.

The investigation alleges that FSOs who refused to pay the demanded commission faced the NOC renewal being withheld.

Digital Trail Emerges As Key Evidence

The QR-code payments allegedly made the transaction trail more traceable for investigators.

While Dogra allegedly kept away from digital transactions to avoid leaving a direct electronic record, the payments made to Jhala have provided the ACB with time-stamped banking records.

Investigators can establish from the digital trail who transferred the money, when the payment was made and when the corresponding cash was withdrawn.

The transaction records are expected to form an important part of the evidence in the alleged bribery case.