GIDC deputy engineer caught accepting 50k bribe

Surat: The Surat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday caught GIDC deputy executive engineer (Class-2) Parimal Patel red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The bribe was allegedly demanded to grant permission for demolition of two sheds at Bhatpore GIDC, Surat.The complainant had applied for approval to demolish old sheds on two industrial plots and was asked to pay the bribe by Patel. Refusing to comply, the complainant approached the ACB, which set up a trap under the supervision of assistant director RR Chaudhary. Inspector KJ Dhaduk caught Patel accepting the money at his office."Patel joined GIDC two decades ago and was promoted to deputy executive engineer over the years. He has been posted at the Bhatpore regional office since 2021. Considering the scale of his crime, we believe he may have accumulated assets, and teams are searching his premises and records," an ACB official said.Patel draws a salary of Rs 1.30 lakh, and investigations are ongoing.