In a significant development in the ongoing probe into alleged administrative corruption in Uttar Pradesh, suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Abhishek Prakash, a 2006 batch officer, has now been formally served a chargesheet by the state government.
The action, taken by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Appointments and Personnel, follows nearly four months of silence after his suspension in March 2025.
Prakash, who was then holding the dual responsibilities of Secretary of the Industrial Development Department and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invest UP, has been given 15 days to respond to two grave charges that have surfaced as part of a growing corruption probe involving a solar project and land acquisition linked to the UP Defence Corridor. #IASCorruption #InvestUPScandal
Allegations: Commission Demand and Land Acquisition Irregularities
According to top officials, Prakash is facing two primary accusations:
- Demanding a 5% Commission for Project Approval:
It is alleged that during his tenure as CEO of Invest UP, Prakash — through an intermediary — sought a “five per cent commission” from a private business group in exchange for facilitating government clearance for a proposed solar manufacturing unit. The demand was reportedly made via a private individual identified as Nikant Jain, who acted as a middleman. - Anomalies in Land Acquisition for Defence Corridor:
The second allegation relates to Prakash’s earlier stint as District Magistrate of Lucknow. Officials claim that there were serious irregularities in the acquisition of land in Bhatgaon village (Sarojini Nagar area) for the high-profile UP Defence Industrial Corridor. The probe has also flagged discrepancies in the compensation process, raising red flags about possible misuse of power and unjust financial transactions. #DefenceCorridor
Procedural Timeline and Legal Status
As per established administrative procedure, Prakash now has 15 days to file a written response to the charges. “He may also seek an extension, and once his reply is received, an Inquiry Officer will be appointed to examine the matter in detail,” a senior state government official confirmed. #AdministrativeProbe
Though the chargesheet explicitly names Prakash, it is worth noting that the First Information Report (FIR) filed in March did not name him directly, referring only to a “senior officer” of Invest UP. However, the investigation appears to have since zeroed in on Prakash as the official in question. He remained unreachable for comment as of Wednesday evening.
Background: Businessman’s Complaint Triggered Probe
The current chain of events stems from a complaint filed earlier this year by an industrialist seeking approval to establish a solar equipment manufacturing facility through the Invest UP portal. According to the complaint, after the project received initial recommendation from the internal Evaluation Committee, the applicant was directed to get in touch with Nikant Jain, the alleged middleman.
Jain is said to have openly demanded a “5% commission” and pushed for an advance payment, claiming that the sum was required to facilitate final approvals from the Empowered Committee and the State Cabinet. When the applicant declined to pay, Jain allegedly warned that the project would not move forward without his involvement.
Arrest and Legal Action Against Middleman
Following the businessman’s formal complaint, a case was filed against Nikant Jain on March 20 at a police station in Lucknow. He was arrested on charges of corruption under:
- Section 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and
- Sections 7, 12, and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The FIR explicitly accuses Jain of coercion, bribery, and acting as a conduit for high-ranking officials. #CorruptionCharges #PreventionOfCorruptionAct
Abhishek Prakash, now 42 years old, has held multiple high-profile assignments across Uttar Pradesh. His previous postings include serving as the District Magistrate (DM) of several districts, including Lucknow (2021–2022), Hamirpur, Aligarh, Bareilly, and Lakhimpur Kheri. His rapid ascent within the bureaucratic structure had made him a prominent figure in the state administration.
However, this episode has cast a long shadow over his once-promising career. His suspension in March came as a major jolt to the bureaucracy and sparked speculation about broader corruption networks within departments involved in industrial development and land acquisition.
Legal experts believe that Prakash’s case could have long-lasting implications not only for him but for investor confidence in Uttar Pradesh’s industrial policy. The UP Defence Corridor and renewable energy infrastructure are both considered marquee initiatives under the Yogi Adityanath government, and any sign of corruption in these sectors could damage both domestic and foreign interests.
If the allegations are proven, the case could lead to further administrative reshuffling, possible criminal proceedings, and deeper scrutiny into Invest UP’s functioning. Authorities have signaled that no official will be spared if found guilty in this or related investigations.
#UPGovernance #BureaucracyUnderScrutiny #SolarScamUP #IASUnderProbe