Ankita Oza Nayab Collector Palanpur: The tales of Deputy Collector Ankita Oza have sent shockwaves through the Gujarat government, exposing a huge network of corruption beyond her single actions. The scandal goes on to showcase the abuse of powers and illustrates how corrupt government officials will scratch and claw to hide their ill-gotten wealth. From transferring bank lockers to demanding bribes, the great Ankita Oza provides a memory of government departments-there’s nothing but systemic corruption.
Bank locker transferred to Husband’s name in February 2024
On February 2024, Oza, Deputy Collector in the Palanpur Stamp Duty Valuation Office, was deviously reported to have transferred a bank locker in the name of her husband at Bank of Baroda in Mehsana. The transfer raised red flags because, as established by the findings of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), gold and silver worth ₹74.89 lakh were discovered in that locker. The locker has been transferred to Prashant Prajapati in the name of her husband, but now it seems quite possible that assets were held also on behalf of his friend. Prashant was with the ACB when the videoed opening of the locker with them was done, being an ONGC man.
The investigation into the locker has sharpened due to the discovery of 10 gold biscuits, 7 bars, and gold/silver ornaments. According to this investigation, Ankita Oza is using gold to launder her black money, something all the corrupt do. This shocking revelation is a testament to the very high corruption that goes on in the system.
Why did Ankita Ojha demand a bribe? Ankita Ojha Lanch kem mangi?
Ankita Oza’s troubles started when she was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹3 lakh. Her job at the Stamp Duty Assessment Office in Palanpur involved going around inspecting construction sites and issuing notices to plot holders for unpaid stamp duties. When a complainant approached her asking to reduce the stamp duty, Ankita and her accomplice, Office Inspector Imrankhan Nagori, summoned anything between ₹4.50 lakh and finally settled for ₹3 lakh for two houses.
On February 25, 2024, Ankita and Imran were caught red-handed accepting the bribe by the Gujarat ACB, Gandhinagar unit, then the matter was resolved by a full inquiry on her corruption.
Female PI seizes gold/silver worth Rs 25 crore found in locker
The case was handed to female PI NH Mor at Banaskantha ACB, who led the investigation. During searches of her residence and office, incriminating documents were identified, implicating the Bank of Baroda locker in Mehsana. The gold and silver recovered worth nearly ₹75 lakh have deeply involved Ankita in the larger domain of corruption.
Desperate attempts were made by Ankita Oza to avail bail from judicial custody but the applications were refused by AD Sessions and District judge, PA Patel of Palanpur; this is going to be her first punishment for her deeds.
Systemic issues: In Gujarat, government departments are far too corrupt
Ankita Oza’s case is not isolated. It is a case in point, constitutive of the widespread corruption occurring in Gujarat’s Revenue Department and other government offices. Corrupt officials like Ankita use complicated means to conceal their black money, from hiding assets in the names of family members to investing in gold and real estate.
This scandal calls for more robust oversight and transparency in the affairs of government. The functioning of the Gujarat ACB in this case should be lauded, but it also brings to highlight the need for systemic reforms so that such incidents do not recur.