Ahmedabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Chief Fire Officer Amit Dongre along with a private middleman after allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹36,000 in exchange for approving Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings. The action came after a complainant approached the ACB, leading to a successful trap operation in the city’s Memnagar area.
The latest development has once again raised serious concerns over transparency in the fire safety approval process and has added another case to the growing list of corruption allegations involving fire department officials across Gujarat.
Ahmedabad ACB Trap Leads to Arrest of Chief Fire Officer and Middleman
According to officials, the Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted a planned operation near Yash Aqua Complex in Memnagar, Ahmedabad, after receiving a written complaint from a citizen who refused to pay the demanded bribe.
Investigators said a Fire Safety Officer had submitted applications for Fire NOCs of six different buildings through the Gujarat Government’s online portal. Instead of processing the approvals through official procedures, an alleged demand of ₹6,000 per building was made, taking the total amount to ₹36,000.
The complainant reported the demand to the ACB rather than paying the money.
During the trap operation held on August 7, 2026, the accused intermediary, identified as Bhavsinh Zala, allegedly accepted the cash from the complainant. ACB officers immediately moved in and caught him red-handed.
Bribe Was Allegedly Collected on Behalf of Amit Dongre
The investigation revealed that the money was allegedly being collected on behalf of AMC Chief Fire Officer Amit Dongre.
According to ACB officials, Dongre allegedly used the private individual as an intermediary for handling financial dealings related to Fire NOC approvals. People seeking fire safety clearances were reportedly instructed to coordinate with the middleman instead of dealing directly with the department.
Following the arrest of Bhavsinh Zala and his questioning, investigators allegedly uncovered evidence linking the transaction to the Chief Fire Officer.
Based on the findings, the ACB arrested Amit Dongre as part of the same investigation.
The agency is now expected to examine whether similar methods were used in other Fire NOC approvals and whether additional individuals were involved.
How the Ahmedabad Fire NOC Bribery Case Came to Light
The case surfaced after a vigilant citizen decided to report the alleged demand instead of giving the money.
The complainant filed a written complaint with the Vadodara City Anti-Corruption Bureau, explaining that approval of six Fire NOCs had allegedly been delayed until the bribe was paid.
After verifying the complaint, the ACB organized a trap in the presence of independent government witnesses.
As soon as the accused accepted the marked currency notes, officers detained him at the spot and seized the cash as evidence.
The successful operation ultimately led investigators to the alleged involvement of the Chief Fire Officer.
Who is Amit Dongre?
Amit Dongre was appointed as the Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation after clearing the municipal recruitment examination conducted in October 2024.
His appointment drew attention because, according to reports, it was the first time in the history of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation that the position of Chief Fire Officer was filled by appointing a candidate from outside the existing fire department staff instead of promoting an internal officer.
Now, less than two years after taking charge, Dongre has been arrested in a corruption case linked to Fire NOC approvals.
Fire NOC Approval Process Under Scanner
The alleged bribery case has once again brought the Fire NOC approval system into focus.
Fire No Objection Certificates are mandatory for many commercial, residential and institutional buildings to confirm compliance with fire safety regulations before permissions are granted.
Authorities believe that any corruption in this process can directly affect public safety because delays or irregular approvals may compromise compliance with fire protection standards.
The ACB is expected to examine records related to recently approved Fire NOCs as part of the ongoing investigation.
Gujarat Has Witnessed Several Fire Department Bribery Cases
The Ahmedabad case is the latest in a series of Anti-Corruption Bureau actions involving fire department officials across Gujarat over the past few years.
Some of the notable cases include:
- December 28, 2021: Kirit Dayalbhai Koli, Station Officer at Kank Road Fire Station in Rajkot, was arrested in an alleged ₹40,000 bribery case.
- May 4, 2024: Regional Fire Officer Niteshkumar Bhikhabhai Patel of the State Fire Prevention Services in Vadodara was arrested over an alleged ₹2.25 lakh bribe.
- August 12, 2024: Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s In-Charge Chief Fire Officer Anitkumar Becharbhai Maru was caught in an alleged ₹1.80 lakh bribery case.
- February 22, 2025: Divisional Fire Officer Imran Hussain Ibrahim Sheikh of Prahladnagar Fire Station in Ahmedabad was arrested after allegedly accepting ₹65,000.
- April 20, 2026: Deputy Regional Fire Officer Maheshkumar Amrutlal Patel of the State Fire Prevention Services in Bhavnagar was booked in an alleged ₹2 lakh bribery case.
- August 7, 2026: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Amit Dongre was arrested in the latest alleged ₹36,000 bribery case.
The repeated arrests have raised fresh concerns over corruption in fire safety administration across the state.
Earlier Controversy Involving Amit Dongre
This is not the first time Amit Dongre has faced public scrutiny.
In March 2025, a controversy erupted after a fire brigade vehicle was reportedly used during a Holi (Dhuleti) celebration at a cricket ground in Thaltej, Ahmedabad.
Reports at the time claimed that a fire department water tanker was deployed to create a rain dance effect during the event instead of being kept available for emergency response.
An investigative report later examined entries made in the fire station’s official records. According to those records, the vehicle had allegedly been dispatched under instructions attributed to the Chief Fire Officer.
The report also pointed to certain irregularities in the register, including differences in the way the entry was recorded compared to other official entries on the same page. Those observations had sparked questions regarding administrative procedures, although they were separate from the present bribery investigation.
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Investigation Continues
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is continuing its investigation to determine whether the alleged bribery was an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern involving Fire NOC approvals in Ahmedabad.
Officials are expected to examine digital records, communication between the accused, financial transactions and previous approval files. If evidence suggests a wider network, additional legal action could follow.
The arrests of the Chief Fire Officer and the alleged intermediary mark a significant development in Gujarat’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. Authorities have reiterated that public servants and intermediaries involved in demanding illegal gratification will face strict legal action under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge regarding the extent of the alleged network and whether more officials may come under scrutiny.