Five Class-1 SMC officers under ACB scanner over tender irregularities

Surat: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought permission from the Surat Municipal Commissioner to investigate five Class-1 officers, including serving and retired officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), in connection with alleged irregularities in streetlight maintenance and LED supply tenders dating back to 2019.

The development has caused concern among municipal officials, as the ACB has sought written approval to initiate an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The officers named in the request include then-Vigilance Officer Jayesh Chauhan, retired Additional City Engineer K.H. Khatwani, Deputy Engineer Rohit Patel, retired Deputy Engineer Kirit Suvarnakal and Deputy Engineer K.T. Patel.

The case relates to a complaint filed in 2019 alleging irregularities in the processing and award of four tenders concerning streetlight maintenance and LED supply works to contractor Gopal Lambha. The complaint alleged that the tenders were processed in violation of established rules and that senior officials from the Vigilance and Technical departments were involved in the alleged irregularities.

The allegations involve suspected financial irregularities and misuse of official authority in the tendering process. The ACB has now sought the Municipal Commissioner’s permission to proceed with an investigation against the five officials.

Some of the officials named in the ACB’s request have since retired, while others remain in service. The Municipal Commissioner’s decision on whether to grant permission is awaited.

If permission is granted, the ACB could proceed with a detailed investigation and take further legal action based on the evidence gathered. However, any decision to register criminal cases or make arrests would depend on the findings of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. DeshGujarat