Ahmedabad Dismisses Chief Fire Officer Over Bribery Allegations
Published on 08/09/2026 at 04:37 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has dismissed Chief Fire Officer Amitkumar Dongre after his arrest by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting bribes to issue fire safety certificates. The case highlights the corruption risks that can emerge when approval authority is concentrated in a single role — a lesson for any organisation reviewing its compliance processes.
Following a court appearance, Dongre and suspected intermediary Bhavsinh Jhala were remanded to four-day police custody on August 9, 2026, which is scheduled to last until August 12.
The Anti-Corruption Trap
The arrests followed an ACB trap set on August 7, 2026, after reports emerged that officials were demanding illegal payments to process fire safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs). According to investigators, Dongre demanded a total of Rs 36,000 to approve renewals for six buildings, equating to a rate of Rs 6,000 per NOC.
Jhala was reportedly apprehended at the Yash Complex in the Memnagar area during the transaction. In the subsequent investigation, the ACB seized Rs 1.1 lakh in cash and moved to freeze three bank accounts and a safety locker linked to the former fire chief.
Swift Termination and Departmental Background
The AMC moved quickly to terminate Dongre's appointment within hours of the arrest. Having been appointed in October 2024 and officially taking charge in December 2024, Dongre was the first Chief Fire Officer recruited from outside the civic body. Because he was still serving a probationary period, the municipal corporation was able to end his employment immediately upon the filing of the corruption charges.
The probe into the fire department's activities has expanded to investigate reports of a standardised bribery "rate card" for safety clearances. These reports suggest renewal fees ranged from Rs 6,500 to Rs 25,000 based on building categories, while new NOCs in premium areas could allegedly command payments between Rs 50,000 and Rs 9 lakh.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Safety Reform
The bribery scandal coincides with increased pressure on fire safety regulations in the region. Recent judicial oversight has highlighted gaps in the current system, such as a lack of inspections for certain small businesses and educational facilities.
A centralised approval system introduced in 2024, which placed final authority for NOCs with the Chief Fire Officer, is now under review by investigators to determine if it facilitated the alleged corruption.
In response to broader safety concerns and preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Gujarat government is preparing to amend building safety rules. The proposed changes include mandatory refuge floors in high-rise structures and the implementation of regular fire safety mock drills. The government also intends to appoint a permanent Director of Fire Services to oversee regional safety standards.
