Gujarat ACB seizes gold and cash in corruption case

ACB: MD Sagathiya was first detained on May 30 by Rajkot city cops for his alleged acts of omission that led to the fire at TRP Game Zone.

Massive Seizure Linked to Town Planner

Gujarat’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has made a significant breakthrough in its investigation into disproportionate assets involving suspended Rajkot town planner MD Sagathiya.

On Tuesday, ACB officers seized 22 kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 16 crore, and Rs 3 crore in cash from the office of Sagathiya’s brother in Rajkot.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

MD Sagathiya was arrested by the ACB and presented in court on Monday after completing a six-day remand in a separate forgery case handled by the Rajkot Crime Branch.

Following his court appearance, the ACB obtained a transfer warrant for Sagathiya and sought further remand to continue their investigation.

Search Operations

The ACB conducted a search operation at the office of Dilip Sagathiya, MD Sagathiya’s brother, located in the high-end commercial hub Twin Star near Nana Mava Chow on Ring Road.

The search was carried out late on Monday evening after securing permission from the court.

“When we produced Sagathiya, we also intimated the court that we have recorded the statement of MD Sagathiya’s brother Dilip Sagathiya and that the latter has consented to open his office for the purpose of investigation, though he is not an accused in the case as of now,” a senior ACB officer told The Indian Express on Tuesday.

Cooperation from the Brother

Dilip Sagathiya, who claims to be a farmer by occupation, cooperated with the ACB by unlocking the biometric security system of his office, facilitating the search. While Dilip is not currently an accused in the case, his cooperation was crucial for the investigation.

Background of the Case

MD Sagathiya was initially arrested on May 30 by a special investigation team (SIT) of the Rajkot city police in connection with a blaze at TRP Game Zone that resulted in 27 deaths.

The investigation revealed that the gaming zone had been operating since 2021 without proper clearance from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s town planning department, which Sagathiya headed.

Despite being aware of the illegal operations, Sagathiya allegedly failed to take any action, which ultimately led to the fatal fire.

The ongoing investigation into Sagathiya’s assets and the significant seizures made by the ACB highlight the extent of corruption and the need for stringent action against those involved in such malpractices.