ACB Nabs Ahmedabad Couple for Allegedly Seeking ₹3.25 Lakh Bribe to Stall Demolition of Illegal Construction

Ahmedabad, August 20, 2026

By Viral Tripathi, District Report, Indian Press Union

A husband-wife duo was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday for allegedly demanding money from a city resident in exchange for allegedly helping prevent action against his property during a civic demolition drive, officials said.

The accused, identified as Shilpaben Vijaybhai Ahir and her husband Vijaybhai Dahyabhai Ahir, both residents of Ramkrishna Society near Uttamnagar, were apprehended after allegedly receiving ₹3.15 lakh from the complainant in cash. According to the ACB, the original alleged demand was ₹3.25 lakh.

Unauthorised Construction Triggers Civic Notice

The case relates to alterations allegedly made by the complainant to his residential-cum-commercial property. He had dismantled a tin shed on the first floor and replaced it with a permanent concrete slab, which was treated as unauthorised construction.

The Town Development Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's East Zone subsequently issued two notices to the complainant's mother, seeking an explanation regarding the additional construction and proposed demolition action.

Alleged Bribe Demand

According to the ACB's version of events, Shilpaben allegedly contacted the complainant and demanded money in connection with the demolition notices. Investigators alleged that the demand consisted of ₹3 lakh purportedly for influencing civic officials and ₹25,000 as an alleged personal amount, taking the total demand to ₹3.25 lakh.

The ACB further stated that ₹10,000 had allegedly been paid earlier, while the complainant was asked to pay the remaining ₹3.15 lakh on Wednesday.

Complainant Approaches ACB

Instead of making the alleged payment, the complainant approached the Anand ACB police station and lodged a complaint. The agency subsequently verified the allegations and planned a trap operation.

Trap Conducted at Soni Ni Chali Crossroads

According to ACB officials, the operation was conducted on Wednesday at Soni Ni Chali Crossroads in Ahmedabad. The accused allegedly accepted ₹3.15 lakh from the complainant while inside their WagonR car.

ACB officials then apprehended both accused and recovered the alleged bribe amount from the vehicle, officials said.

Further Investigation Underway

The trap was conducted by Police Inspector R.N. Virani of the Anand ACB police station under the supervision of M.H. Puwar, Assistant Director of the ACB's Ahmedabad Unit.

The couple is facing proceedings under applicable anti-corruption laws. Further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged demand and payment.

(Inputs from Anand ACB Police Station case details, August 20, 2026)