ACB arrests 3 for demanding bribe in Aadhaar enrolment case in Ahmedabad

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested three persons for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹32,000 from an applicant in the name of facilitating an Aadhaar card at a civic centre in Ahmedabad’s Rakhial area.

According to the ACB, the complainant, a 36-year-old man, had approached the civic centre to obtain an Aadhaar card, which he urgently required to avail of a loan. The applicant did not possess a birth certificate, a mandatory document under existing rules.

Officials said the civic centre staff allegedly informed the complainant that an Aadhaar card could still be issued without a birth certificate or a living certificate (LC), but only in exchange for money. The accused allegedly demanded a total of ₹32,000 to ‘manage’ the process.

The complaint stated that the bribe demand was conveyed initially at the instance of one Bhagyas Solanki, following which Jay Pancholi and later a man identified as Sandeep allegedly collected the money from the applicant.

ACB officials said that as per rules implemented after 2023, issuance of an Aadhaar card without a valid birth certificate is not permissible, with the government having tightened document verification norms to prevent misuse and fraud.

Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and arrested the three accused red-handed while accepting the bribe. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more officials or agents were involved in similar practices at the civic centre.

Confirming the arrests, ACB Deputy Director Haresh Mewada said strict action would be taken against anyone found exploiting citizens by misusing government services for personal gain.