NEARLY FOUR months after 2006 batch IAS officer Abhishek Prakash, who was then serving as secretary, Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Department, and chief executive officer of Invest Uttar Pradesh, was suspended on charges of corruption, he has been served a chargesheet by the state’s Department of Appointments and Personnel.Officials said on Wednesday that Prakash has been given 15 days to reply on two main charges – regarding the alleged demand of “five per cent commission” through a “mediator” for giving clearance to a solar project. The other charge against him pertains to “anomalies” in the acquisition of land in Bhatgaon village of Sarojini Nagar area of Lucknow meant for use as part of the Defence Corridor project during his tenure as District Magistrate (DM) of Lucknow. The allegations also point to discrepancies in giving compensation.“He (Prakash) has been served a chargesheet and has been given 15 days’ time (to reply). He can be given extension as well if he requests and after his reply comes, an inquiry officer will be instituted to look into the allegations,” confirmed a senior government officer.The FIR, registered in March this year, only mentions “a senior officer of Invest UP” and does not name Prakash. Prakash could not be contacted for comment on Wednesday.Around four months ago, Uttar Pradesh government suspended Prakash following a complaint made by a businessman, who alleged that “commission” was being sought through a “mediator” for approval of a solar project. The alleged middleman, Nikant Jain, was also arrested on charges of corruption and an FIR was registered in the case.Prakash, 42, is a 2006 batch IAS officer and held several significant posts, including DM of Lucknow from 2021 to 2022 and the same post in Hamirpur, Aligarh, Bareilly and Lakhimpur Kheri districts.According to the FIR, an industrial group had applied, through Invest UP, to set up a solar manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh. The proposal was recommended by the evaluation committee but the applicant was asked by a “senior official of Invest UP” to contact a private individual, later identified as Nikant Jain. The complainant claimed that Jain demanded “five per cent commission” and put pressure to give some amount as “advance” in exchange for “getting the case approved by the Empowered Committee and the Cabinet.”Story continues below this adThe FIR states that when the applicant refused to pay the bribe, Jain “categorically said” that the proposal “would not proceed further without his (Jain’s) help.”A case was registered against Jain on March 20 under sections 308(5) of the BNS and under sections 7,12,13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at a police station in Lucknow.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Uttar Pradesh