ED investigates bribery allegations at Invest UP

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started an investigation into bribery claims related to project approvals at Invest UP. The agency is reviewing documents from Invest UP and the state government. An ED official mentioned that they are looking into allegations of a commission being demanded for project approvals. The investigation is focused on large land parcels linked to a former Invest UP official. This includes his residence in a prominent area of Lucknow, which was built on combined plots. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suspended Invest UP CEO Abhishek Prakash last month because of these bribery allegations connected to a solar power plant project. On the same day, police arrested Nikant Jain, who allegedly asked for a five percent commission for approvals on behalf of Prakash. An FIR has been filed against Jain at the Gomti Nagar police station. The case began when SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited complained that despite getting project approval, Prakash demanded a re-evaluation without cause. SAEL Solar had submitted their project applications through multiple channels at the Invest UP office. The project was initially approved in a meeting led by Prakash; however, he later pushed for re-evaluation, raising doubts about his intentions. The state government’s internal report found Prakash responsible for violating rules and he was suspended immediately. The FIR against Jain indicates he acted as a middleman for project approvals in exchange for kickbacks. The complaint reveals that a senior official from Invest UP directed a SAEL employee to contact Jain, who then demanded a commission. After the employee declined, Prakash sent the project back for re-evaluation, with Jain warning that the project would not proceed without his involvement.