Surat: ACB books civic body engineers for abuse of power

SURAT: In a first-of-its-kind case in Gujarat, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) booked three engineers of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Saturday for alleged abuse of power in tendering of various contracts issued. Three separate offences were registered in ACB police station, Surat after inquiry into the case for around a year. A written application from a contractor was received by ACB in 2017 based on which the inquiry was initiated.
ACB booked Mansang Narsang Chaudhary, executive engineer, Nilesh Ramchandra Ramavat, deputy engineer, both residents of Adajan, and Nilesh Ripu Patel, assistant engineer, living in Jahangirpura for their alleged misuse of power.
In one complaint all three accused were booked while in two other complaints Chaudhary is the accused. The investigation was done by C K Patel, police inspector, ACB after applications of Gopal Lambha, an electrical work contractor.
The complaints were lodged by N P Gohil, PI, ACB, based on the evidences collected during the course of investigation. The investigation was conducted in supervision of R S Patel, assistant director, ACB.
The accused allegedly abused powers to ensure that the applicant does not get tender despite his firm being a qualified contractor, ACB officials informed. The accused adopting various means called for re-tendering when the applicant was eligible for award of contract in three different contracts awarded.
Of the three Nilesh Patel was arrested while other two were not found at their residences, ACB informed.