Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Ex-Ahmedabad fire officer remanded in Rs 36,000 bribery case
In a city called Ahmedabad in India, a man named Amit Dongre had an important job: he helped make sure buildings were safe from fire.
He was the Chief Fire Officer of the city's municipal corporation.
The police say he and another man named Bhavsinh Jhala asked for money to approve safety papers, called fire NOCs, for six buildings.
They allegedly wanted 36,000 rupees, which is 6,000 rupees for each building.
A fire safety officer who had sent in the paperwork on a government website complained to the police.
The police set a trap on August 7 and caught Jhala right when he took the money.
During the trap, Jhala called Dongre on the phone, and the police say Dongre agreed about the bribe.
Both men were arrested, and all the money was recovered.
The city government fired Dongre from his job, and a court ordered both men to stay in custody until August 12 while the investigation goes on.
The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested former AMC Chief Fire Officer Amit Dongre and Bhavsinh Jhala (also reported as Bhavsinh Zala), 31, over an alleged Rs 36,000 bribe.
The bribe was allegedly demanded at Rs 6,000 per building to approve Fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in Ahmedabad.
The ACB laid a trap on August 7 near Yash Equa Complex at Vijay Cross Roads in Memnagar, where Jhala was caught red-handed accepting the money in the presence of two government witnesses.
During the trap Jhala telephoned Dongre, who allegedly expressed consent to the bribe amount, indicating the money was accepted on his behalf.
Dongre was sacked by the AMC with immediate effect, and both accused were remanded in custody until 5 p.m. on August 12 as the investigation continues.
- Who
- Amit Dongre, 47, former Probationary Chief Fire Officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and Bhavsinh Pratap Jhala, 31, a private individual also reported as Bhavsinh Zala.
- What
- Both were arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 36,000 bribe to approve fire NOCs for six buildings in Ahmedabad, and have been remanded in custody until August 12.
- When
- The trap and arrests took place on August 7; the AMC terminated Dongre on August 8; a local court granted remand until 5 p.m. on August 12.
- Where
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat; the trap was laid near Yash Equa Complex at Vijay Cross Roads in Memnagar.
- Why
- The bribe was allegedly demanded at Rs 6,000 per building to clear fire safety approvals for six buildings.
- Arresting agency
- Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
- Accused
- Amit Dongre and Bhavsinh Jhala (also reported as Bhavsinh Zala)
- Bribe amount
- Rs 36,000 (Rs 6,000 per NOC)
- Buildings involved
- Six
- Trap location
- Yash Equa Complex, Vijay Cross Roads, Memnagar, Ahmedabad
- Amount recovered
- Rs 36,000
- Remand
- Until 5 p.m., August 12
- AMC action
- Dongre's appointment terminated with immediate effect
Sources
₹36,000 bribe, 6 buildings and an ACB trap: Ex-Ahmedabad fire officer Amit Dongre remanded till August 12
Ahmedabad Chief Fire Officer arrested on bribery charges
Ahmedabad civic body sacks Chief Fire Officer after Rs 36,000 ACB bribe trap
Ahmedabad chief fire officer, aide held for accepting Rs 36,000 bribe to clear fire NOCs
