Businessman claims sustained threats forced him to consider leaving India as corruption probe widens
An NRI businessman has alleged that officials of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) demanded a bribe of ₹40 lakh to halt action against his commercial property, claiming he faced repeated threats that left him contemplating leaving India for his personal safety.
The allegations surfaced days after the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment arrested an LDA junior engineer, a supervisor and an alleged middleman while they were allegedly accepting ₹7.5 lakh as the first instalment of a bribe in a trap operation. Investigators said the accused had demanded money in exchange for not taking enforcement action against a property.
The complainant, identified as NRI businessman Jitendra Narayan, told investigators that the initial demand was ₹40 lakh, which was subsequently reduced to ₹15 lakh following negotiations. He alleged that officials repeatedly threatened him during the process, creating an atmosphere of intimidation that made him consider leaving the country.
According to the Vigilance Establishment, the accused allegedly exploited complaints filed through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) to pressure property owners into paying illegal gratification
After receiving Narayan’s complaint, the agency conducted a verification before laying a trap that resulted in the arrest of the three accused while they were allegedly accepting the first instalment of ₹7.5 lakh.
The arrests have intensified scrutiny of the functioning of the LDA’s enforcement wing, with authorities examining whether similar practices were used in other cases. Senior LDA officials have indicated that a departmental inquiry will be conducted alongside the criminal investigation.
The case has renewed concerns over alleged corruption in urban development bodies and the challenges faced by investors, including overseas Indians, in dealing with local regulatory authorities. Investigations by the Vigilance Establishment are continuing.
