The Director of the DGIPR is under serious scrutiny after allegations surfaced of awarding contracts worth crores to blacklisted companies. Documents reviewed by investigators reportedly indicate that despite prior warnings from MSRTC, fresh contracts were issued to firms earlier barred for submitting fake work certificates. The State DGP has directed Marine Drive Police Station to register an FIR and initiate criminal proceedings. The case raises major questions about procurement oversight, financial accountability and internal governance within Maharashtra’s Information and Public Relations department. Further investigation is expected.

Former Director of DGIPR involved in a scam worth crores of rupees

• Amassed money by allocating contracts to black-listed companies

• Ambekar bypassed the complaint by MSRTC

• DGP orders lodging of an FIR

The Special Investigation Team of Sprouts has come across startling information that the then Director of the DGIPR, Ajay Ambekar, collected crores of rupees by allotting contracts to black-listed companies. The State DGP has asked the Marine Drive Police Station to register an FIR against Ambekar.

Ajay Ambekar was working as a Director in the DGIPR. During his regime, he awarded contracts to black-listed companies and collected crores of rupees. The amount included over Rs 100 crore collected from the black-listed companies. The Sprouts SIT has documents in support of this claim. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more such scams will soon be exposed by Sprouts and will be submitted to the concerned departments.

The Scam

Initially, the contract for publicity work of MSRTC was awarded to Rakesh Advertising Private Limited and Shri Om Advertising Private Limited. These companies did not do any work. On the contrary, they submitted fake certificates and collected crores of rupees. That is the reason these companies were black-listed by MSRTC. MSRTC had also communicated this to DGIPR and had asked it not to enter into any engagement with these companies.

Also Read: GAD-DGIPR Corruption Files Vanish After Sprouts Expose.

However, Ambekar threw MSRTC’s suggestion into the dustbin. Not only this, but he also awarded fresh contracts worth crores of rupees to these companies. These companies submitted fake documents, and the booty was shared between Ambekar and these two corrupt companies.

“An in-depth inquiry should be conducted into the corrupt deals of the former Director of DGIPR, Ajay Ambekar, and criminal proceedings should be initiated against Ambekar and all those concerned with this deal.”

Vikas Thakre
MLA