ACB nabs two in Ahmedabad bribe trap; ₹3.15 lakh recovered over demolition threat
Synopsis
A citizen's refusal to pay a ₹3.25 lakh extortion demand — allegedly tied to an AMC demolition notice — led to the ACB catching two persons red-handed with ₹3.15 lakh in Ahmedabad. The case raises questions about whether official municipal notices are being weaponised to shake down property owners.
Key Takeaways
The Ahmedabad ACB arrested two persons — Shilpa and Vijay Ahir — on 19 August 2025 in a bribe trap operation.
The accused allegedly demanded ₹3.25 lakh total: ₹3 lakh purportedly for AMC officials and ₹25,000 for themselves. ₹3.15 lakh was recovered on the spot; ₹10,000 had allegedly been collected earlier.
The bribe was allegedly sought to prevent demolition of an unauthorised permanent roof constructed on the first floor of the complainant's house and shop.
The AMC Town Development Department, East Zone, had issued two notices to the complainant's mother over the construction.
Both accused face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act ; the probe may expand to examine links with AMC employees.
Two persons were allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹3.15 lakh in Ahmedabad on 19 August 2025, after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) set a trap following a citizen's complaint that money was being extorted under the threat of demolishing an unauthorised construction at his property. The entire amount was recovered on the spot, officials said on Thursday.
How the Trap Was Laid
The operation was conducted by the Anand ACB Police Station team after the complainant alleged that the accused had demanded money to prevent the demolition of a permanent roof he had constructed on the first floor of his house and shop — replacing an earlier tin roof. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)'s Town Development Department, East Zone, had issued two notices in the name of the complainant's mother regarding the construction, which was allegedly carried out without permission, and sought an explanation as to why it should not be removed.
The Demand and the Accused
According to the ACB complaint, accused Shilpa, wife of Vijay Ahir, subsequently contacted the complainant and threatened that the new construction would be demolished. She allegedly demanded ₹3.25 lakh in total — ₹3 lakh purportedly for AMC officials and ₹25,000 for herself — to ensure the construction was spared. Of this, ₹10,000 had allegedly already been collected, with the remaining ₹3.15 lakh due on 19 August.
Caught Red-Handed
Unwilling to pay the demanded amount, the complainant approached the ACB and lodged a formal complaint. A trap was subsequently arranged. According to the agency, both Shilpa and Vijay Ahir allegedly accepted the ₹3.15 lakh from the complainant and were apprehended during the operation. The alleged bribe transaction took place inside the accused's car on a public road near Soni Ni Chali Char Rasta in Ahmedabad. The full amount was recovered from the spot.
Legal Position and Context
The allegations are based on the ACB complaint and remain subject to investigation and due legal process. The Gujarat ACB routinely conducts such trap operations in response to complaints alleging bribe demands, and investigates offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Notably, this case highlights a recurring pattern in which unauthorised construction notices are allegedly used as leverage to extract payments from property owners. The involvement of a municipal notice — even if legitimate — as a pressure point for extortion underscores the vulnerability of citizens navigating urban regulatory processes.
What Happens Next
Both accused are in ACB custody and face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators are also examining the claim that a portion of the demanded amount was meant for AMC officials, which could widen the probe. The Gujarat ACB has not yet confirmed whether any serving municipal employees are under scrutiny in connection with this case.
Point of View
If substantiated, would implicate the institutional chain behind the notice, not just the intermediaries. Gujarat's ACB has a credible record of trap operations, but the harder question is whether such cases lead to systemic reform or remain isolated prosecutions. As long as unauthorised construction remains widespread and discretionary enforcement powers are unchecked, the conditions for this kind of alleged extortion persist.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ahmedabad ACB bribe case about?
Two persons, identified as Shilpa and Vijay Ahir, were allegedly caught accepting ₹3.15 lakh in a bribe in Ahmedabad on 19 August 2025. The Anti-Corruption Bureau set a trap after a citizen complained that money was being demanded to prevent demolition of an unauthorised construction at his property.
How much bribe was allegedly demanded in the Ahmedabad ACB case?
The accused allegedly demanded ₹3.25 lakh in total — ₹3 lakh purportedly for AMC officials and ₹25,000 for themselves. Of this, ₹10,000 was allegedly paid earlier, with ₹3.15 lakh handed over during the ACB trap on 19 August.
What was the unauthorised construction involved in the case?
The complainant had replaced a tin roof on the first floor of his house and shop with a permanent roof without obtaining the required permission. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Town Development Department subsequently issued two demolition notices, which the accused allegedly used as leverage to demand the bribe.
Who are the accused in the Ahmedabad ACB bribe trap?
The two accused are Shilpa, wife of Vijay Ahir, and Vijay Ahir himself. They were allegedly caught red-handed inside their car near Soni Ni Chali Char Rasta in Ahmedabad and are now in ACB custody facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Could AMC officials also face investigation in this case?
The accused allegedly claimed that ₹3 lakh of the demanded amount was meant for AMC officials. Investigators are examining this claim, and the probe could widen to include serving municipal employees, though the Gujarat ACB has not yet confirmed any such action.
