What began as a routine clearance for solar panel projects in Gujarat has escalated into a major corruption case, as the Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested a senior Energy Department official and recovering assets worth more than ₹2.64 crore.

The Gujarat ACB arrested A.B. Chaudhary, a Class-I officer serving as Chief Electrical Inspector at Udyog Bhavan in Gandhinagar, in a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged possession of disproportionate assets, officials said on Monday (June 1, 2026).

According to officials, inputs indicated that Mr. Chaudhary was allegedly issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) for solar projects without conducting mandatory site inspections, in exchange for bribes from applicants and businessmen. He was also suspected of collecting illicit payments while returning home in his official vehicle after office hours.

Based on specific intelligence, ACB teams intercepted his government vehicle on Saturday evening. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of ₹5.51 lakh in cash and gift vouchers, which he reportedly failed to account for satisfactorily, officials said.

Follow-up searches at his residences in Gandhinagar and Surat resulted in the seizure of assets worth ₹2.64 crore, including ₹1.76 crore in cash and gold and silver items valued at around ₹88.82 lakh.

Officials said the recovery suggests assets disproportionate to his known income sources, and a deeper investigation has been initiated into his financial transactions and the solar project approval process.