Contractor Files Police Complaint Over Solar Project Extortion and Caste Abuse in Gujarat
A 38-year-old contractor has lodged a formal complaint at the Bilkha police station in Junagadh district, Gujarat, alleging serious offenses including extortion, threats, and caste-based abuse in connection with a solar power project he was overseeing. The incident highlights growing tensions in the renewable energy sector in the region.
Details of the Allegations and Project Background
The complainant, identified as Rajesh alias Bhavesh Makwana, aged 38 and a resident of Rabarika village in Rajkot district, is engaged in solar plant construction and general contracting work. According to the FIR, in October 2025, solar power companies leased land from local farmers within the limits of Navagam Mota Avdatiya village for setting up a solar plant. Makwana alleged that two individuals, Uday Vank and Karan Jebaliya, both residents of Bilkha village, interfered with the project and demanded a staggering Rs 1.5 crore.
After work commenced on the solar project, the accused allegedly secured contracts for supplying essential construction materials and machinery, such as sand, gravel, water tankers, tractors, and earthmovers, at the site. However, the dispute escalated when they demanded additional contracts for other project operations and maintenance work. The company refused these demands, citing that the rates quoted were nearly double the prevailing market prices, leading to a confrontation.
Escalation of Threats and Caste-Based Abuse
Following the refusal, Makwana claimed that the accused repeatedly visited the project site and disrupted ongoing work. In January, they allegedly escalated their demands by explicitly threatening to stall the project and kill him if the Rs 1.5 crore was not paid. The situation worsened in February when the accused allegedly abused Makwana using caste-based slurs and threatened to halt work by deploying an earthmover machine, creating a hostile and unsafe environment.
Police have registered an offence under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 308(4), 351(3), 296(B), and 54, along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. An investigation has been launched to probe the allegations thoroughly, with authorities examining the evidence and statements from involved parties.
This case underscores the challenges faced by contractors in the renewable energy sector, where disputes over contracts and materials can lead to severe legal and social issues. The involvement of caste-based abuse adds a critical dimension, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in industrial projects. As the investigation progresses, it may set a precedent for handling similar conflicts in Gujarat's growing solar energy landscape, emphasizing the importance of legal protections for workers and entrepreneurs.
