The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta has arrested a serving official of the Legal Metrology (Weights and Measures) Department and a retired inspector while they were allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹1 lakh from a petrol pump operator in Bhopal. The amount was part of an alleged demand of ₹4 lakh made to settle an official matter.

According to Lokayukta officials, the complainant, who operates a petrol pump, had approached the anti-corruption agency after alleging that the accused had demanded money in exchange for extending official favours and avoiding departmental action. After verifying the complaint, the Lokayukta police laid a trap.

The accused were caught red-handed while allegedly accepting ₹1 lakh from the complainant. The trap operation was carried out by the Lokayukta's Bhopal unit, following which both individuals were taken into custody for further legal proceedings.

Officials said the serving officer was posted in the Legal Metrology Department, while the second accused is a retired inspector who allegedly acted as an intermediary in the transaction. The investigation is expected to examine the role of both individuals and whether others were involved in the alleged bribery network.

The Lokayukta has registered a case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Authorities are also collecting documentary and electronic evidence related to the alleged demand and acceptance of the bribe. Further questioning of the accused is underway.

The action is part of the Lokayukta's continuing drive against corruption in government departments across Madhya Pradesh. In recent months, the anti-corruption agency has conducted several trap operations targeting public servants accused of demanding illegal gratification for official work.

Officials reiterated that citizens facing demands for bribes from government employees should report such incidents to the Lokayukta instead of paying the money. Complaints are verified before trap proceedings are initiated.

Further investigation is underway to determine whether similar complaints exist against the accused and whether additional officials were linked to the alleged corruption case.

Rewa Collector Orders Suspension of Revenue Official Over Bribery Allegation

Officials crack down on corruption in land transfer, PM housing scheme cases

Rewa district administration has taken swift action against corrupt officials following complaints of extortion in government schemes. Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi suspended a revenue assistant on Wednesday for allegedly demanding bribes to process land inheritance transfers, while simultaneously issuing a show-cause notice to another official over separate corruption charges linked to the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme.

Tahasil Officer Held for Extortion

The suspended official, Prashant Tiwari, a Class-3 assistant posted at Semeriya tahasil, had allegedly stalled inheritance mutation cases for four applicants—Maan Singh, Kabil Singh, Umesh Singh, and Babli Singh—demanding payment to process their documents. The collector's office confirmed that Tiwari deliberately delayed the applications to extract bribes from the landowners seeking to transfer property rights through legal channels.

Collector Suryavanshi did not conduct an extended inquiry before taking action. Instead, based on preliminary examination of documents and complaint records, he issued suspension orders immediately, signalling zero tolerance for misconduct within the district administration.

Rapid Administrative Response

The decisive move reflects growing pressure on district authorities to curb corruption at the ground level. Officials familiar with the matter said the collector prioritized swift action over lengthy bureaucratic procedures, sending a strong message to revenue staff that misconduct would invite immediate consequences. As of Thursday, the suspended official had not filed any formal response or appeal against the suspension order.

Housing Scheme Bribery Case

In a parallel case, district authorities have turned their attention to allegations of extortion within the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme implementation. The collector issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Executive Officer of Gangev gram panchayat, directing the official to respond within three days.

The complaint was filed by Ramlakhan, a resident of Badokhar village under Sirmaur tahasil. According to his account, a gram rozgar sahayak—a village employment assistant—demanded Rs 20,000 as bribe to process his housing scheme survey. When Ramlakhan refused to pay, he was allegedly stripped of scheme benefits entirely.

Three-Day Response Deadline

The collector's directive to the CEO carries an implicit threat of action if the officer fails to provide satisfactory clarification. Officials said the three-day window allows for preliminary investigation before further steps are considered. The matter underscores systemic vulnerabilities in centrally sponsored schemes, where junior officials at the village level wield considerable discretion over beneficiary selection.

Ground-Level Corruption Pattern

These cases reflect a broader pattern of extortion at block and village administration levels, where officials exploit citizens' dependence on government services. Land mutations and housing scheme benefits are critical for vulnerable populations, making them easy targets for corrupt functionaries seeking quick money.

District authorities have faced mounting public complaints about such practices over recent months. The collector's intervention in both cases—suspension in one, notice in another—suggests a shift toward addressing corruption more seriously, though observers note that sustained monitoring and follow-up action will be necessary to prevent recurrence.

Next Steps Unclear

The administration has not yet announced whether the suspended official will face departmental inquiry or police action. Similarly, the outcome of the show-cause notice to Gangev's CEO remains uncertain. Officials indicated that depending on responses received, further measures could follow.

The Rewa administration's quick action comes amid broader state and national scrutiny of corruption within government schemes. The collector's office is expected to submit a compliance report to higher authorities detailing the cases and actions taken.