The Uttar Pradesh Appointments Department has issued a chargesheet against suspended Mr. Abhishek Prakash, a 2006-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, seeking his explanation regarding a bribery case. Based on his response, departmental action will be initiated, and further proceedings will be determined accordingly.
Mr. Abhishek Prakash was suspended on March 20 for allegedly demanding a bribe from SAEL, a solar components manufacturing company, for setting up a factory. Additionally, action is expected against him in the Bhatgaon land scam. Following his reply to the chargesheet, an inquiry officer will be appointed by the department. The investigation could be assigned to a senior or judicial service officer, and further steps will be taken based on the inquiry committee’s findings.
As per regulations, the suspension of an IAS officer generally does not exceed six months. Meanwhile, authorities have expanded their probe into alleged corruption linked to Mr. Abhishek Prakash. His close aide, Mr. Nikant Jain, is also under scrutiny, with police examining financial transactions involving Mr. Jain’s wife. Several documents seized from the offices of Mr. Jain and his brother Mr. Sukant are being analyzed for further leads.
The case surfaced after a complaint was filed against Mr. Abhishek Prakash during his tenure as CEO of Invest UP. The government had subsequently ordered an investigation, leading to his suspension. The police are set to submit a remand application for Mr. Nikant Jain on Monday as part of the ongoing probe.
