Surat: The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in Bharuch booked three govt officials, including a Class I geologist, for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 1.17 crore to the exchequer by aiding illegal sand mining in Bharuch district.Those booked are Class I geologist Naresh Jani, surveyor Ashwin Kotadiya and mines supervisor Bhavesh Parmar of the mines and minerals department. The case was registered three years after the alleged offence, after an inquiry found them to be culpable.According to the ACB, the accused failed to act against mineral thieves despite a raid by the Bharuch deputy collector. They allegedly did not levy penalties and released 38 seized vehicles, boats and equipment, thereby helping the sand mafia operating in the area.The case relates to two sand mining permits in Angareshwar village on the banks of the Narmada. Under the first permit, for Survey No. 11, the holder was allowed to mine 50,000 metric tonnes of sand over 120 days. During a raid on Feb 20, 2023, the deputy collector found mining activity at locations other than the permitted site. The raid team seized seven barges, 14 motorized boats, 17 dumpers and a large quantity of sand, collectively valued at Rs 5.70 crore. However, the ACB said Jani and his team later released all the seized material without collecting fines, causing a loss of Rs 49.85 lakh to the govt. In the second case, involving Survey No. 32, the permit holder was allowed to mine 10,000 metric tonnes of sand. Records submitted showed no digging for over 10 years and the presence of old trees at the site. ACB verification revealed that no mining had taken place at the permitted location, resulting in a loss of Rs 67.17 lakh to the exchequer. The investigation found that Jani and his aides continued to grant permissions to the sand mafia despite being aware of illegal activity. In total, the ACB said, the accused caused a loss of Rs 1.17 crore to the govt. The three officials have been booked under Sections 12, 13(1)(a) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 217 of the Indian Penal Code. GETCO engineer arrested in 2019 bribe case The Bharuch ACB arrested a Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) Class-II deputy engineer in connection with a 2019 bribery case. The accused, Vrajesh Gadariya, was posted as a junior engineer at the Jambusar substation at the time. According to the ACB, Gadariya demanded a bribe of Rs 1,000 for giving an opinion in a non-agricultural land case. The complainant recorded the demand on his phone and approached the ACB. Although a trap was laid, Gadariya was away on duty and asked the complainant to leave the papers on his table. The ACB later carried out an investigation based on the recorded call. With scientific analysis and corroborative evidence, it was established that Gadariya had demanded the bribe. He was booked and arrested on Friday. Gadariya is currently posted as deputy engineer at Bodeli in Chhota Udepur.
