Exposing more rot in the city’s civic management, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Assistant Town Planning Officer Harshad Bhojak on Aug 1. Bhojak and his aide, government-approved engineer Ashish Patel, were caught red-handed, accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe.

According to the complaint filed by a builder in the city, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) demolished the shops and houses built on his inherited land and took over the land. 

Subsequently, he and the affected tenants initiated legal proceedings, during which they were instructed to present evidence regarding the land at the AMC office.

Meanwhile, they also met Patel, who introduced them to Bhojak. The latter offered to make “alternative arrangements” in favour of the landowner. In return, he demanded ₹50 lakh as a bribe. The landowner bargained Bhojak down to ₹20 lakh, and informed the ACB of the situation. 

Following the lead, the ACB set a trap in the Akshar Space Infra office at Ratnakar Business Square on Ashram Road, where they caught Bhojak and Patel in the act.

The ACB arrested the duo and searched the office as well as the residences of both accused. 

The raid in Bhojak’s Pragatinagar residence yielded ₹73 lakh in cash,  and a gold biscuit worth ₹4 lakh, both of which have been seized as the ACB continues its investigation. 

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