The Uttar Pradesh government suspended Abhishek Prakash, a senior IAS officer and CEO of Invest UP, on Thursday over allegations of corruption tied to project approvals, signaling a crackdown on graft within its investment promotion agency. Alongside Prakash’s suspension, authorities arrested Nikant Jain, an alleged middleman implicated in the scheme.

Prakash, a 2006-batch IAS officer also serving as Secretary of the Industrial Development Department, faced immediate suspension after a solar industry investor accused Jain of demanding a 5% commission to secure project clearances. The government’s order cited a “prima facie” violation of Rule-3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules-1968, with Governor-ordered disciplinary proceedings now underway for “major punishment” under Rule-8. “His act undermines the integrity expected of his position,” the statement read.

Jain, 40, was nabbed near Shahid Path in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, following an FIR under extortion charges (BNS Section 308(5)) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complaint detailed how Jain, after a senior Invest UP official directed the investor to him, pressured for an advance bribe, warning of stalled progress otherwise. With a rap sheet spanning fraud cases in Meerut, Lucknow, and Etah, Jain’s arrest has widened the probe into potential accomplices.

Uttar Pradesh, under its “zero tolerance” corruption stance, vowed to protect its investment climate. “We’re committed to a transparent ecosystem—genuine projects won’t face delays,” an official statement affirmed, assuring the complainant’s solar venture would proceed. As Invest UP drives the state’s industrial ambitions, the ongoing investigation aims to root out any further rot.