Ex-Gujsail CEO booked for Rs 72 lakh graft

AHMEDABAD: The former chief executive officer of Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure (Gujsail) and two others were booked on Wednesday under graft charges of amounting to around Rs 72 lakh, according to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officers.
“Former CEO Captain Ajay Chauhan has been indicted on charges of corruption. Following an extensive investigation by the ACB, it was discovered that Chauhan had egregiously abused his authority during his tenure, engaging in nefarious and corrupt practices,” stated an official release from the ACB.
Following the investigation, the chief security officer and general manager of Gujsail lodged a complaint with the ACB against Chauhan, currently suspended, Alpesh Tripathi, director of Kasmc Aviation Pvt.Ltd., and Alpesh Prajapati, accountant with Gujsail.
“Chauhan stands accused of misappropriating govt aircraft without authorization for personal family excursions, resulting in substantial financial losses to the govt,” the statement added.
Despite knowing he was prohibited from providing flying services to other companies while employed at Gujsail, Chauhan willfully provided such services to Kasmc Aviation Pvt. Ltd., receiving illicit financial benefits in his personal bank account, added the statement.
Chauhan, in collusion with Kasmc Aviation, illegally procured Rs 10 lakh in his personal bank account. Additionally, despite lacking the requisite authority, Tripathi and Chauhan signed and approved bills amounting to Rs 4.6 lakh, facilitating fraudulent activities.
The accused have collectively abused their positions of authority, causing significant financial damage to the govt of around Rs 72 lakh, according to the statement.
Chauhan was posted as director of civil aviation in April 2004 and held the position for 18 years. He was appointed as CEO of Gujsail in Jan 2010 and served in that role for over 13 years.
In 2022, widespread corruption charges were leveled against Chauhan, leading to a departmental inquiry.
Simultaneously, the Gujarat ACB was entrusted with a separate criminal inquiry, which led to Chauhan being booked on Wednesday.