The Indore Municipal Corporation has taken major disciplinary action against a civic official accused of causing financial loss to the corporation through unauthorized modifications in property tax records. Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal ordered the immediate dismissal of in-charge Assistant Revenue Officer Arvind Nayak, whose original post was Assistant Revenue Inspector, after a departmental inquiry reportedly found serious irregularities against him.

Officials said the action was taken under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966, after the accused officer failed to provide a satisfactory explanation during departmental proceedings. The development has become a significant Government Updates and Public Interest Story in Indore amid growing scrutiny over financial accountability within urban local bodies.

Departmental Inquiry Conducted

According to civic officials,the matter surfaced after complaints were received regarding modifications made in a property tax account linked to land located in Bicholi Mardana area of the city. The complaint was examined through an inquiry report submitted by the Additional Commissioner (Revenue) of the municipal corporation. During the investigation, officials reviewed records associated with property tax account number 1001346534, which was registered in Zone 19, Ward 76. The account reportedly belonged to Agarwal Public School under the Learn by Agarwal Charitable Trust. Authorities said the inquiry focused on changes made in the property’s classification, area details, and tax demand entries on the e-Nagar Palika portal.

Tax Record Discrepancy Found

According to municipal records, the property account had been registered since the financial year 2014-15. Officials stated that records available on the e-Nagar Palika portal as of August 23, 2025, showed the property classified under residential, commercial, and hostel categories with a total area of 577006 square feet. The total tax demand linked to the account was reportedly recorded at Rs 3.19 crore. However, investigators later found discrepancies in revised entries associated with the same account. The inquiry revealed that the total cumulative demand was reduced to around Rs 1.82 crore after modifications were allegedly made without proper approval.

Unauthorized Changes Alleged

Corporation officials alleged that Arvind Nayak used his personal user ID on the e-governance portal to make modifications in the property tax records. Authorities claimed the changes were carried out without obtaining approval from competent officials, resulting in financial loss to the civic body. The matter was treated seriously because the modifications allegedly impacted tax calculations and municipal revenue collection. Following preliminary findings, Nayak was suspended and a formal departmental inquiry was initiated. Officials said documentary and digital evidence collected during the investigation supported the allegations against him.

Explanation Found Unsatisfactory

Municipal authorities confirmed that the accused officer was issued a notice seeking clarification regarding the alleged irregularities. However, officials stated that the response submitted by Nayak failed to satisfactorily explain the discrepancies identified during the inquiry process. Based on the findings, the corporation decided to impose major disciplinary punishment under service conduct rules. The dismissal order was issued with immediate effect. Officials said the action was necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in municipal administration.

Commissioner Orders Strict Action

Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal has been taking strict administrative measures in recent months related to governance, revenue recovery, and civic operations. Sources in the corporation said the latest action was intended to send a strong message against irregularities involving public revenue and misuse of official systems.

Senior officials indicated that digital property tax records and user activity on the e-governance portal are being closely monitored to prevent similar incidents. The corporation is also expected to strengthen internal verification mechanisms linked to tax modifications and approvals.

Civic Administration Under Watch

The dismissal has sparked discussion within administrative circles regarding financial monitoring in urban local bodies and the risks associated with unauthorized access to digital governance systems. Experts say municipal corporations increasingly depend on online platforms for tax assessment, revenue collection, and property management, making transparency and system accountability critical. Concerns have also been raised over whether similar irregularities may have occurred in other property tax accounts. Officials have not yet confirmed whether any criminal proceedings or recovery process will be initiated in the case.

Focus on Accountability

The incident comes at a time when civic bodies across Madhya Pradesh are under pressure to improve financial discipline and strengthen digital governance systems. Administrative observers believe strict departmental actions may increase accountability among officials handling sensitive revenue-related records. The Indore Municipal Corporation has stated that public funds and tax records must be protected from manipulation and unauthorized interference.

7 Arrested in CSMCL Rs 115 Crore Overtime Scam

Economic Offences Wing probes CSMCL overtime scam, uncovering fake bills worth over Rs 115 crore paid to manpower agencies for liquor shop staff.

Raipur's anti-corruption agencies have cracked down on a massive financial irregularity in the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL), arresting seven people, including senior executives from private manpower firms. The CSMCL overtime scam allegedly involved disbursing nearly Rs 115 crore in overtime payments from 2019-20 to 2023-24, which never reached liquor shop workers but was siphoned off through bogus bills and commissions. Officials say the probe, triggered by earlier cash seizures, points to a systematic fraud causing heavy losses to the state exchequer.english.

Arrests in Manpower Firms

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) took the seven into custody late last week, presenting them in court where they were remanded to police custody until May 11. Among those held are top executives from agencies like Eagle Hunter Solution Limited, previously linked to two arrests in April—field officer Abhishek Kumar Singh and accountant Tijau Ram Nirmalkar. Investigators claim these individuals managed cash withdrawals and fund transfers to other accused.

Fake Shifts on Paper

Paper trails showed extra shifts at government liquor outlets, justifying overtime claims that agencies billed for aggressively. But ground checks revealed workers got nothing, with sanctioned funds allegedly diverted as kickbacks to officials and private players. The scam's scale—spanning five financial years—suggests organized manipulation of payment systems during the previous Congress regime in Chhattisgarh.

ED Raid Sparks Probe

It all began with an Enforcement Directorate (ED) operation on November 29, 2023, when Rs 28.80 lakh in cash was recovered from three suspects in Raipur. Linking it to unpaid overtime wages led ACB-EOW to file an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC sections for cheating and conspiracy. This input from ED peeled back layers of what appears to be a broader corruption network.money.

Anwar Dhebar's Link Emerges

Businessman Anwar Dhebar, elder brother of a former Raipur mayor, was arrested earlier in February 2026 in connection with this and related scams, including liquor irregularities. He's currently in judicial remand, and officials hint at more ties emerging from interrogations. The manpower angle has now widened the net significantly.

Workers Shortchanged

Hundreds of frontline staff at CSMCL liquor shops—deployed via these agencies—were promised extra pay for extended hours, only for it to vanish into the fraud pipeline. Sources in the probe team say records were fudged to inflate claims, with real overtime hours ignored. Public outrage is building over how public money meant for labourers ended up elsewhere.english.

Probe Deepens Ahead

With custodial remand in place, EOW-ACB expects key disclosures on fund trails and accomplices during questioning. The agency has seized documents and is scrutinising bank transactions for further leads. This CSMCL overtime scam could unravel more from Chhattisgarh's troubled excise sector, with potential for additional arrests.