IAS officers have recently been making headlines for the wrong reasons, from corruption charges against Pooja Singhal to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who was accused of wrongfully claiming caste and quota benefits in the civil services examination. The latest in the line of controversies is Uttar Pradesh’s Invest UP CEO, Abhishek Prakash, who stands accused of amassing wealth illegally.
On March 20, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government suspended IAS officer Abhishek Prakash, the CEO of Invest UP, after allegations surfaced that he had sought a bribe through an arrested middleman, Nikant Jain, to approve a solar power plant project. Prakash reportedly directed Jain to demand a 5% commission on the total cost of the project in exchange for approval.
The Lucknow Police have filed a case against Nikant Jain at the Gomti Nagar Police Station, charging him with extortion under BNS Section 308 (5) and Sections 7, 12, and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Jain, originally from Meerut, resides in Gomti Nagar’s Viram Khand.
In response, the Uttar Pradesh state government issued a statement confirming that IAS Abhishek Prakash had violated the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, Section 3. Following an investigation, the government stated that prima facie evidence supports the allegations, leading to his immediate suspension.
The Uttar Pradesh government has stated, “The malicious intent of Invest UP CEO Abhishek Prakash, his vested interests, and his pursuit of unfair financial gain could be the driving factors behind this incident. Prima facie, Abhishek Prakash has been found responsible. This is a violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, Section 3. As a result, Abhishek Prakash is being suspended with immediate effect. Further disciplinary action will be taken as per the IAS (RR-2006).”
Section 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, outlines the ethical standards and code of conduct expected from IAS officers. The state government’s action came just hours after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a public meeting in Gonda, where he stated, “No one will be spared if found guilty.”
On March 20, Vishwajeet Dutta of SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited filed a complaint alleging that, despite receiving a positive recommendation from the review committee, the company’s file was stalled because they refused to pay the 5 per cent commission that IAS Abhishek Prakash allegedly demanded through the middleman, Nikant Jain.
SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited has applied through both online and offline channels to manufacture parts for solar cells, panels, and other equipment used in solar energy. The project is said to hold significant strategic importance.
The complainant, Vishwajeet Dutta, alleges that after the review committee gave a favourable recommendation, IAS Abhishek Prakash directed him to meet Nikant Jain. Dutta claims he was told that if he paid 5 per cent of the project’s cost in advance to Jain, the project would be approved. However, if he failed to comply, the project would not be approved, regardless of his efforts.
Who is IAS Officer Abhishek Prakash?
Born in 1982, Abhishek Prakash is a 2006-batch IAS officer. Currently, he holds the position of Secretary in the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Infrastructure and Industrial Department and serves as the CEO of Invest UP, the state’s investment promotion agency. Prakash has previously served as the District Magistrate (DM) of Lucknow for an extended period, and has also held DM positions in Lakhimpur Kheri, Aligarh, and Hamirpur districts.
Defence Corridor Land Acquisition Case and Alleged Corruption Involvement
As the investigation into allegations of Abhishek Prakash demanding a 5 per cent commission to approve a solar project continues, his troubles are deepening. The Defence Corridor Land Acquisition case, involving 18 officers, including Prakash—who was the then Lucknow DM—has brought additional scrutiny. These officers are accused of corruption, and the case, currently under investigation, may soon receive attention from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In this case, Dr Rajneesh Dubey, the former Chairman of the Revenue Board, submitted a report to the government after conducting an investigation. Following this, several officials have been charge-sheeted. It is expected that, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s approval, the Defence Corridor file could be reopened, potentially escalating Abhishek Prakash’s legal troubles further.
The Defence Corridor was planned in Bhatgaon Gram Panchayat, located in the Sarojini Nagar Tehsil of Lucknow. The area was chosen to house a manufacturing facility for Brahmos missiles and various other defence-related companies, leading to a sharp increase in land prices. As land values skyrocketed, the land mafia became active, collaborating with tehsil officials to acquire land from local farmers at low prices. They later extorted substantial compensation from the government. Many officers allegedly acquired land in the names of their servants and relatives. The then ADM and his subordinates are believed to have played a pivotal role in this fraud.
The investigation report submitted to the government revealed evidence of manipulation in the acquisition process, including the fraudulent addition of names to documents. Several rules were bypassed in the buying and selling of land. For instance, land that was categorized as non-transferable was made transferable and sold illegally. Furthermore, compensation was paid to individuals falsely presented as landowners, while the officers who distributed the compensation were negligent in verifying ownership rights.
The report also uncovered irregularities amounting to approximately Rs 20 crore in a sanctioned sum of Rs 45.18 crore for 35 hectares of land in Bhatgaon. The investigation focused on the role of the then DM, Abhishek Prakash, and his associates in the Sarojini Nagar tehsil. One of the suspended employees allegedly threatened officers with exposure of the fraud.
In the preliminary investigation conducted by the Revenue Board, numerous officers—including the then DM, Abhishek Prakash, ADM, SDM, and Tehsildar—were found guilty. Four employees were also suspended as part of the probe. Notably, as the chairman of the land acquisition committee, Abhishek Prakash is accused of arbitrarily fixing land rates in collusion with the tehsil administration.
Abhishek Prakash’s Controversial Tenure as Lucknow Development Authority’s Vice-Chairman
In addition to the corruption allegations in the Defence Corridor case and the recent ‘bribe for approval’ scandal, Abhishek Prakash has faced accusations related to his time as the Vice-Chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). Reports suggest that during his tenure, he demolished several illegal constructions but simultaneously favored certain builders. He is accused of issuing licenses to builders he was allegedly close to, particularly in areas such as Aashiyana. Further allegations include arbitrarily withholding builders’ files in collusion with LDA officials.
Collusion with Mining Mafias and Land Purchase Rigging
During his postings as District Magistrate (DM) in Kheri, Hamirpur, and Aligarh, Abhishek Prakash was accused of rigging land purchases and sales, particularly in Aligarh. Several complaints were lodged accusing him of manipulating government tenders in Lakhimpur and colluding with mining mafias in Hamirpur.
Purchase of Land in the Name of Family and Fake Companies
While serving as DM of Lakhimpur Kheri and Bareilly, Abhishek Prakash allegedly purchased 700 Bighas of land under the names of his family members—including his mother, father, and brother—as well as through fictitious companies. Additionally, he is accused of purchasing 400 Bighas of land in Bareilly, with allegations of stamp duty evasion at both locations. The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) had requested the UP government to initiate an investigation into these matters.
Amassing Wealth and Properties During Tenure as DM
It has been reported that during his time as DM of Lucknow, Abhishek Prakash amassed substantial wealth and properties, including a house in Ansal Housing Society, a bungalow in Aashiyana, and a villa in the city. Prakash allegedly had close connections with middlemen, including Nikant Jain and Lucky Jafri, who helped clear important project files for a commission.
Uttar Pradesh’s Zero-Tolerance Policy on Corruption
While Abhishek Prakash’s alleged corrupt practices have drawn national attention, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has earned praise for his firm stance against corruption in the bureaucracy. Prakash is not the only IAS officer suspended under this policy; a total of 11 IAS officers have been suspended over corruption allegations.
In November 2024, IAS Ghanshyam Singh was suspended for delaying the measurement of fields in Lakhimpur Kheri.
In July 2024, IAS Devisharan Upadhyay was suspended for arbitrarily restoring the leases of 35 plots in Aligarh during his tenure as Member of the Judicial Revenue Council.
In 2022, IAS TK Sheebu was suspended due to corruption in mining-related matters.
In 2022, IAS Sunil Kumar Verma was suspended from his post as DM of Auraiya for misuse of power and corruption.
IAS Devendra Pandey was suspended while serving as DM in Unnao for financial irregularities in the Basic Education Department.
IAS Amarnath Upadhyay was suspended as DM of Maharajganj over irregularities in the budget for cow protection centres.
IAS Kumar Prashant was suspended in June 2018 as DM of Fatehpur for rigging government wheat procurement.
IAS Jitendra Bahadur Singh was also suspended while serving as DM of Gonda for embezzling government grain.
Kedarnath Singh was suspended while working in the tourism department.
IAS Sharda Singh was suspended as Chakbandi Commissioner for failing to recruit as per the OBC quota.
Comments