According to orders issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Aditya Singh has been reassigned as Deputy Secretary in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department. The transfer was announced two days after reports emerged that Anandpur Trust had submitted a complaint to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Delhi, alleging that the collector had sought a bribe of ₹3 crore. No official confirmation of a written complaint has been made public so far, and government authorities have not commented on the substance of the allegations.
The timing of the transfer has drawn attention, as it followed a politically charged controversy surrounding Anand Dham. The Congress party had earlier accused the ashram of being involved in a sex scandal and released videos purportedly related to the case, escalating the issue into a wider political debate. While the allegations against the ashram and the collector remain under scrutiny, no judicial findings have been reported.
Adding to the intrigue, Aditya Singh was earlier in the day announced as a recipient of a gubernatorial award for his performance in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process. The award was scheduled to be presented on January 25, and supporters of the officer had reportedly planned a public felicitation event. By nightfall, however, the transfer order was issued, abruptly ending speculation about his continuation in the district.
Officials in the state administration maintained that transfers are a routine administrative exercise. However, the proximity of the reshuffle to the bribery allegations has fuelled debate in political and bureaucratic circles. Sources indicated that the government may await further clarity on the complaint before taking any additional steps.
Saket Malviya, who has now been posted as the Collector of Ashoknagar, is expected to assume charge immediately. The district administration faces the task of restoring administrative stability amid heightened public and political scrutiny.
The General Administration Department has not indicated whether any departmental inquiry has been initiated in connection with the allegations. Senior officials reiterated that due process would be followed if any formal complaint is established.
For now, the transfer marks a significant development in Ashoknagar’s administrative setup, with the focus shifting to whether the allegations will translate into an official probe and how the controversy will unfold in the coming days.
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