Ahmedabad ACB court denies bail to ex-fire chief Dongre, aide in ₹36,000 bribery case
Synopsis
A former fire chief caught in a ₹36,000 bribery trap — allegedly selling fire safety clearances for six buildings at ₹6,000 each — has been denied bail along with his alleged middleman. The case has since widened, with investigators now scrutinising all NOCs issued during his tenure, raising deeper questions about fire safety governance in Ahmedabad.
Key Takeaways
The ACB Court in Ahmedabad rejected bail pleas of Amitkumar Dongre and Bhavsinh Zala on 26 August .
Both were arrested on 7 August for allegedly demanding ₹36,000 — ₹6,000 per NOC — for fire safety clearances for six buildings .
Zala was allegedly caught accepting the bribe at Yash Equa Complex, Memnagar, Ahmedabad in an ACB trap.
Dongre, 47 , was appointed Chief Fire Officer of the AMC in October 2024 ; the AMC terminated his appointment after his arrest.
The ACB has widened its probe to cover all fire safety NOCs issued during Dongre's tenure.
The Special Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, 26 August rejected the regular bail applications of Amitkumar Dongre, former Chief Fire Officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and his alleged intermediary Bhavsinh Zala. Both accused remain in custody as the ACB presses ahead with its investigation into an alleged bribery scheme tied to fire safety clearances.
The Alleged Bribery Scheme
The two were arrested by the Gujarat ACB on 7 August in connection with the alleged demand and acceptance of ₹36,000 — reportedly ₹6,000 per clearance — for approving Fire Safety No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in Ahmedabad. The NOC applications had been submitted through the state government's official online portal.
The case surfaced after a fire safety officer filed a complaint with the ACB in Vadodara. Acting on the complaint, the bureau set a trap near Yash Equa Complex at Vijay Cross Roads in Ahmedabad's Memnagar area, in the presence of government witnesses. Zala was allegedly caught accepting the full amount from the complainant at the site.
Dongre's Alleged Role
The ACB subsequently arrested Dongre, 47, alleging that Zala had acted entirely on his instructions. According to investigators, a telephone conversation recorded between the two during the trap operation indicated Dongre's alleged involvement and consent regarding the bribe amount. The bureau has maintained that Zala demanded and accepted the money at Dongre's instance.
Dongre had been appointed Chief Fire Officer of the AMC in October 2024 and formally took charge of the city's fire services in December 2024. Following his arrest, the civic body terminated his appointment with immediate effect.
Widening Investigation
The probe has expanded well beyond the initial six NOCs. The ACB has sought records of all fire safety clearances issued during Dongre's tenure to determine whether the alleged arrangement was an isolated transaction or part of a broader pattern. Investigators are also examining financial records and communication logs linked to both accused.
This is a notable case in the context of fire safety governance — a domain that carries direct public safety implications. Alleged corruption in NOC issuance raises questions about the integrity of clearances granted to buildings across the city during the period under scrutiny.
What the Court Order Means
With the regular bail pleas rejected, both Dongre and Zala will remain in custody as legal proceedings continue. The ACB's investigation is ongoing, and the scope of the alleged bribery arrangement — whether confined to the six applications or extending further — remains to be established by investigators.
Point of View
000 — it is about what that sum implies for every fire safety NOC issued under his watch. Corruption in fire clearances is not a victimless offence; it directly undermines the structural safety of buildings and the lives of their occupants. The ACB's decision to widen the probe beyond the six NOCs is the right call, but the real accountability question is systemic: how does a scheme like this operate through an official government portal without triggering internal checks? The AMC's swift termination of Dongre's appointment is necessary optics, but it does not answer whether oversight mechanisms failed — or were absent entirely.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Amitkumar Dongre arrested?
Amitkumar Dongre, former Chief Fire Officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, was arrested on 7 August by the Gujarat ACB for allegedly demanding and accepting ₹36,000 in bribes for approving fire safety NOCs for six buildings in Ahmedabad. Investigators allege he directed his intermediary Bhavsinh Zala to collect the money.
What is the alleged bribery amount in the Ahmedabad fire NOC case?
The alleged bribe amount is ₹36,000, reportedly calculated at ₹6,000 per Fire Safety No-Objection Certificate for six buildings. The NOC applications were submitted through the state government's online portal.
What did the Ahmedabad ACB court decide on 26 August?
The Special ACB Court in Ahmedabad rejected the regular bail applications of both Amitkumar Dongre and Bhavsinh Zala on 26 August. Both accused will remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Who is Bhavsinh Zala and what is his role in the case?
Bhavsinh Zala is accused of acting as an intermediary between the bribe payer and Dongre. He was allegedly caught accepting ₹36,000 from the complainant during an ACB trap near Yash Equa Complex in Memnagar, Ahmedabad.
Has the investigation expanded beyond the six NOCs?
Yes. The ACB has sought records of all fire safety clearances issued during Dongre's tenure to determine whether the alleged bribery was limited to the six applications or extended to other cases. Financial and communication records of both accused are also under examination.
