In a significant action against corruption in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suspended senior IAS officer Abhishek Prakash on March 20, 2025. This decision comes in the wake of serious allegations of extortion that surfaced when an investor lodged a complaint regarding corrupt practices at Invest UP, an agency responsible for promoting investment in the state.
Abhishek Prakash, who was serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invest UP and has a notable career in bureaucratic roles, is alleged to have solicited a five percent commission from an entrepreneur seeking to establish a solar energy unit in Uttar Pradesh. This alleged demand for bribes prompted the investor, Vishwajit Dutta of SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited, to report the misconduct directly to the Chief Minister.
According to reports, after submitting an application to Invest UP, the investor was directed by a senior officer to contact Nikant Jain, a middleman who was allegedly involved in the scheme. Jain purportedly told Dutta that his project could be expedited if the commission was paid. Controversially, this intermediary demanded the commission after the evaluation committee had already approved Dutta's project, thus blocking progress without the payment.
Following the complaint, an investigation was initiated under the supervision of the Special Task Force (STF), leading to Nikant Jain's arrest, as he was trying to pressure the investor into making the illegal payment. Dutta's accusations were deemed credible through the subsequent investigation by STF, confirming the involvement of high-ranking officials in illicit dealings.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Abhishek Prakash had previously faced allegations related to the land acquisition for the Defence Corridor in Lucknow, where he was accused of corruption involving fake documents and embezzlement of compensation funds, highlighting a troubling pattern of misconduct.
Prakash, a member of the 2006 IAS batch, had been a prominent figure in the Yogi Adityanath administration, serving in various capacities, including the District Magistrate of Lucknow. His suspension marks a critical moment in Yogi Adityanath's push against corruption within the state's bureaucracy and reflects a broader commitment by the administration to address systemic accountability issues.
The Chief Minister, in a statement regarding the matter, emphasized that "corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances". Adityanath’s administration has often positioned itself as a reformist regime striving to tackle rampant graft, and this recent action serves as a clear indicator of that stance.
In light of these events, both former and current officials face scrutiny. The involvement of previous bureaucrats, along with the rising number of corruption cases within the office of Invest UP, signifies that this problem extends beyond just one individual and raises questions about the need for comprehensive reform measures in governance.
As the investigation continues, the ramifications of Prakash’s suspension and the charges against him will likely lead to further probes into his dealings and those of others associated with him. It paints a concerning picture for the state's investment climate, which relies heavily upon the integrity of its bureaucratic apparatus.
The ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption from the administrative landscape in Uttar Pradesh not only aim to restore faith in public institutions but also to ensure a conducive environment for potential investors and entrepreneurs.
Moving forward, the government must focus on creating transparent processes and safeguarding against corrupt practices to rebuild public trust. The actions taken by CM Yogi Adityanath today resonate as both a warning and a commitment to uphold ethical standards within the governance of Uttar Pradesh.
