BJP MLA Dipesh Sahu from Bemetara will exchange vows with Taruna Sahu, a young woman from a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, in a collective marriage ceremony today, May 31, under the state government's Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana.

The wedding has drawn significant attention, not just for the unique setting but also for the political debate it has triggered in Chhattisgarh.

From Classroom to Assembly

Dipesh Sahu, who served as a government school teacher for nearly a decade until 2018, made a successful transition into politics. Born on January 23, 1988, he holds a Master's degree in Political Science. After joining the BJP, he held various organisational posts, including district president of the Backward Class Morcha, before winning the Bemetara seat in the 2024 Assembly elections.

Taruna Sahu, originally from Biroudha village in Dhamdha tehsil of Durg district, has completed her MA. Her father, Devnarayan Sahu, works as a driver, while her mother Malati is a homemaker. The family currently resides in Bemetara.

Simple Traditions Mark the Celebrations

In keeping with local rural traditions, the baraat for the groom will proceed in a traditional bullock cart. Haldi ceremonies for both the bride and groom were performed earlier, with women from the community applying turmeric paste amid customary songs and celebrations.

The couple will be among 21 pairs taking the seven pheras together on a common stage at the mass wedding event organised by the Women and Child Development Department in Bemetara.

MLA Pledges to Donate Scheme Benefits

Dipesh Sahu has stated that he will not keep the financial assistance provided under the Kanya Vivah Yojana for personal use. Instead, he plans to utilise the amount for the education of meritorious girl students. 

"This money will be used for the education of bright girl students," the MLA told reporters, emphasising his commitment to social causes.

Congress Raises Eligibility Questions

The wedding has sparked a political row. State Congress chief Deepak Baij questioned whether a sitting MLA should avail benefits under a scheme meant for poor and needy families. 

Baij asked for clarity on whether the marriage falls within the eligibility criteria of the scheme, which is primarily designed to support economically weaker sections.

In response, Dipesh Sahu clarified that eligibility under the scheme is determined by the bride’s family status. Since Taruna belongs to a BPL family, the registration was done accordingly.

CM Praises the Decision

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has welcomed the development. In a post on X, he described Dipesh Sahu’s decision as a message of simplicity, social harmony, and public participation. He noted that it connects marriage with social values rather than ostentation.

Senior ministers and public representatives are expected to attend the event, with the administration putting in place necessary security and logistical arrangements.

Significance of the Event

The Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana aims to help families from economically weaker backgrounds conduct marriages with dignity. By choosing to marry within this framework, the Bemetara MLA has brought the scheme into the spotlight.

Local residents in Bemetara and surrounding villages have been discussing the unique wedding, particularly the decision to use a bullock cart for the baraat, which reflects a conscious effort to stay connected with grassroots culture.

As the ceremony unfolds today, all eyes remain on how this high-profile yet simple wedding plays out and what it means for the perception of welfare schemes in the state.

Strike Paralyzes Revenue Work

Revenue work across Surguja district came to a complete halt on Friday as tehsildars went on a collective mass leave. The protest is in response to the alleged assault on a Naib Tehsildar by local BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo two days ago. The entire administrative machinery dealing with land records and compensation has been hit, with people queued up outside locked offices in Ambikapur and surrounding areas.

The Alleged Assault in Rajapur

The incident, which took place late Wednesday evening, has triggered a political firestorm. Officials say Naib Tehsildar Tushar Manik was called back to the Rajapur sub-tehsil office after an initial dispute involving the MLA’s cousin sister, Seema Dhanaki. According to a formal complaint filed by Manik, the situation escalated rapidly around 6 pm when the MLA arrived.

"MLA Toppo and his supporters began arguing over the behaviour with his sister. Before I could explain, they started hitting me. The MLA himself pulled me aside and assaulted me," Manik stated in his complaint. He showed a torn shirt as evidence. The SDM, who was present, had to intervene and escort the injured officer away in his vehicle.

Counter-FIR and Political Reactions

In a typical twist in such cases, a counter-FIR has been registered. While the police have booked Toppo and ten of his supporters under sections related to obstructing government work and assault, a separate case has been filed against Naib Tehsildar Manik based on a complaint by the MLA’s sister. She has alleged that the officer misbehaved with her and threw her land record file.

Meanwhile, supporters of the MLA have been sitting on a dharna outside the Sitapur police station, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the case against their leader. The situation remains tense, though police presence has been increased to prevent any further flare-ups.

Officials Demand Arrest

The Chhattisgarh Junior Administrative Services Association has condemned the attack sharply. They have rejected the counter-FIR as a pressure tactic and are demanding immediate arrest. “An elected representative cannot take the law into his own hands. This is not just an attack on an officer, but an attack on the system,” a senior association member said.

The striking officials have refused to call off their agitation until the MLA and his supporters are taken into custody. “If this happens to a government servant on duty, what will happen to a common citizen?” asked a protester at the Ambikapur collectorate.

Opposition Slams Government

The Congress has seized on the issue to target the Vishnu Deo Sai government. State Congress chief Deepak Baij termed it "BJP goondaism," accusing the ruling party of shielding its own. Former Deputy CM T.S. Singh Deo added that an elected representative cannot expect to run a "janata ka raj" (people's rule) through such "manmani" (arbitrariness).

As the standoff continues into a second day, the police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made yet, and the focus remains on verifying the sequence of events that led to the clash inside the sub-tehsil office.

BJP MLA Sends Rs 10 Crore Defamation Notice to MP Mahila Congress Chief

Reena Borasi Setia faces legal heat after levelling serious charges of sexual exploitation and land grab against Alot legislator Chintamani Malviya.

In a sharp escalation of political confrontation in Madhya Pradesh, BJP MLA Dr Chintamani Malviya has issued a Rs 10 crore defamation notice to state Mahila Congress president Reena Borasi Setia. The notice, sent through his lawyer, targets statements made by Borasi accusing the Alot legislator of serious offences including sexual exploitation and illegal occupation of land.

The development comes days after Borasi met Governor Mangubhai Patel in Bhopal and submitted a memorandum detailing the allegations.

Notice Targets Media Statements

According to the legal notice dispatched by Advocate Shekhar Srivastava, the MLA has demanded that Borasi provide certified copies of all documents and evidence supporting her claims within seven days. Failure to do so, the notice warns, will result in both civil suit for damages and criminal defamation proceedings.

Malviya has also sent a similar legal notice to a local news channel over the broadcast of Borasi’s interview.

Governor Meeting Sparks Row

Reena Borasi had earlier alleged before the Governor that a woman complainant had provided her with an affidavit and evidence against the legislator. She claimed the MLA, along with 25-30 associates, had harassed a 70-year-old woman, demolished her hut, and grabbed ancestral land. Borasi publicly demanded the cancellation of Malviya’s membership of the Legislative Assembly.

Her statements, made outside Raj Bhavan, quickly gained traction in local media and social platforms.

MLA Cites Political Vendetta

In the notice, Malviya has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and motivated by electoral rivalry. As a highly educated public representative, he said his reputation has been deliberately tarnished for political gains. Sources close to the legislator maintained that the accusations form part of a “conspiracy” amplified through a specific channel and social media.

The Alot MLA, who also served as a former MP, asserted that no concrete proof has been presented to substantiate the grave charges.

Women’s Issues Fuel Political Heat

The episode has further intensified debates around women’s safety and alleged exploitation in the state. Mahila Congress workers have been vocal about delays in action against influential figures, claiming administrative inaction due to the accused’s political clout.

Local observers note that the confrontation also carries undertones of past electoral contests in the Ratlam region, where Borasi is believed to harbour political differences with the sitting legislator.

 Legal Timeline and Next Steps

The seven-day window given in the notice has set a tight deadline for compliance. Legal experts suggest that if the matter proceeds to court, the burden of proof will lie heavily on the Congress leader to validate her public statements with documentary evidence.

As of now, neither Borasi nor the Mahila Congress unit has issued a formal response to the defamation notice. Party circles in Bhopal indicated that consultations are underway on the legal strategy.

The case has once again brought the spotlight on how political discourse in Madhya Pradesh often spills into personal and legal battles, especially when allegations involve women’s dignity and powerful local leaders. With assembly undercurrents already active, both sides are expected to dig in as the matter unfolds.

MP High Court Orders Contempt Case Against BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak

Division bench directs criminal contempt proceedings over alleged attempt to contact judge in ₹443 crore mining recovery matter linked to Pathak family firms

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the registration of a suo motu criminal contempt petition against BJP MLA Sanjay Satyendra Pathak from Vijayraghavgarh in Katni district. The directive came after the court took cognisance of an alleged attempt by the legislator to contact a sitting judge regarding a pending case involving illegal mining and recovery of over ₹443 crore from companies linked to his family.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf passed the order on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by Katni resident Ashutosh Manu Dixit. The bench directed the court registry to register the contempt petition and list it for hearing on April 6, 2026. It also issued notice to Pathak asking why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

Judge Recuses from Mining Case

The development traces back to September 1, 2025, when Justice Vishal Mishra recused himself from hearing a writ petition related to alleged excess mining by three companies — Anand Mining Corporation, Nirmala Minerals, and Pacific Export. In his order, Justice Mishra explicitly recorded that Sanjay Pathak had made an attempt to call him to discuss the particular matter concerning the Pathak family’s mining companies. He stated he was not inclined to entertain the writ petition and referred the case to the Chief Justice for reassignment.

Advocate Arvind Shrivastava, appearing for petitioner Dixit along with Puneet Shroti, drew the court’s attention to this disclosure in the order sheet, which included a reference to the recorded conversation attempt. The division bench took serious note of the incident, observing it as a prima facie case of interference in judicial proceedings.

Background of Illegal Mining Allegations

The core dispute revolves around allegations of illegal and excess mining in the Sihora area of Jabalpur district, including operations reportedly on forest land. Ashutosh Dixit first approached the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Bhopal on January 31, 2025, accusing the companies of failing to deposit substantial amounts due to the government.

Following a preliminary enquiry, an investigation team was formed in April 2025. The team submitted its report on June 6, 2025, recommending recovery of over ₹443 crore from the three firms for mining beyond approved limits. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had also informed the state assembly that the companies had extracted minerals in excess of permissions granted.

Dixit later moved the High Court in June 2025, alleging inaction by authorities despite his complaints. The companies, in turn, filed intervention applications in the matter. Sources indicated that the Pathak family has been associated with the mining business for decades, with no prior major complaints of royalty or tax evasion on record from their side.

Contempt Proceedings and Judicial Response

During Thursday’s hearing, the division bench rejected objections raised on behalf of the MLA and proceeded to initiate suo motu action. The court emphasised the need to protect the sanctity of judicial processes. Petitioner’s counsel highlighted that earlier complaints had not led to prompt action, prompting the move to the High Court.

Sanjay Pathak, a five-time MLA and former minister of state in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, is often described as a prominent figure in the mining sector in the region. He has not issued any public statement on the latest court order so far.

Impact on Governance and Public Trust

The case has sparked discussions on judicial independence and the boundaries of political influence in ongoing legal matters. Legal experts view the court’s swift response as a strong reaffirmation of the principle that any attempt to influence a judge undermines the administration of justice.

For the mining sector in Madhya Pradesh, the episode highlights ongoing scrutiny over compliance with environmental and regulatory norms, particularly in iron ore extraction zones. The recovery proceedings against the companies are expected to continue independently, with GST implications to be decided separately.

What Lies Ahead

The criminal contempt petition will come up before the court on April 6, 2026, when Pathak is likely to file his response. The matter could have implications for similar cases where allegations of over-mining surface in mineral-rich districts.

Meanwhile, the original writ petition concerning enforcement of the mining recovery has been reassigned and is under active judicial consideration. Authorities in the mineral department continue to monitor compliance and recovery processes.

This incident underscores the judiciary’s zero-tolerance approach towards any perceived interference in its functioning, even as the state government pushes for transparent resource management in key sectors. Developments in the contempt case will be closely watched in political and legal circles across Madhya Pradesh.