Multiple districts report heated exchanges between politicians and officials, while ACB nabs government staff accepting bribes during public grievance camps.

What was meant to be a showcase of governance efficiency turned chaotic across several Chhattisgarh districts on Friday, as video clips of heated arguments between politicians and officials went viral, even as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) carried out multiple arrests for bribery during the state’s ‘Sushasan Tihar’ (Good Governance Festival) camps.

The camps, set up to resolve public grievances, instead became flashpoints in Durg, Korba, Bilaspur, and Raigarh. Officials and public representatives clashed openly in front of villagers, while at least two government employees were caught red-handed accepting illegal payments.

Face-off in Thanod village

In Durg district’s Thanod village, BJP leader Puran Deshmukh, who serves as the Durg rural district general secretary, engaged in a sharp exchange with Janpad CEO Rupesh Pandey. The argument, captured on video, shows the CEO pointing a finger at the BJP leader and saying, “Do whatever you want to do.”

According to local sources, Deshmukh was upset over the release of funds for a community hall. He alleged that funds were released during the current sarpanch’s tenure despite a stay order he had obtained earlier. The CEO countered that the stay had already been lifted. The entire episode unfolded in the presence of Durg rural MLA Lalit Chandrakar.

ACB arrests clerk in Korba

At a separate camp in Korba district’s Tumaan area under Podi Uproda block, ACB teams arrested assistant grade-2 official Pradeep Mishra for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹40,000 bribe. The complainant, a retired teacher named Amritlal Baghel, had visited the camp to get entries made in his GPF passbook.

Baghel approached the Bilaspur ACB after Mishra allegedly demanded the money. A team led by DSP Ajit Singh laid a trap and caught the official while accepting the cash. Officials said Mishra had previous complaints of financial irregularities against him. The ACB is now probing if other complainants at the camp were also extorted.

Patwari suspended over viral video

A separate incident in Korba’s Pasan area led to the suspension of patwari Vinod Agrawal after a video surfaced showing him counting currency notes under his office table. Locals alleged the patwari routinely demanded bribes – up to ₹5,000 for forest patta processing and up to ₹10,000 for mutation of land after death.

One villager secretly filmed the patwari demanding money for a ‘fauti namantaran’ (mutation after death). Following the video’s circulation, the SDM ordered Agrawal’s suspension. He also held additional charge of the Sirri area.

Congress leader, MLA clash in Bilaspur

In Bilaspur’s Godhi village under Bilha block, a dispute broke out between local Congress leader Rajendra Shukla and BJP MLA Dharam Lal Kaushik. Shukla, along with supporters, was raising slogans such as “Stop this farce in the name of Sushasan Tihar” when the situation escalated.

Shukla later told reporters that there was no direct confrontation with the MLA. “When camps are organised to solve problems, everyone has the right to question officials. When I started asking about unresolved issues, someone tried to snatch the mic,” he said.

MLA Kaushik, however, claimed Shukla was “attacking officers” when he arrived. “I told him to stay calm. Everyone is here to solve public problems under the Chief Minister’s leadership. There is no need to disrupt official work,” Kaushik said, adding that Shukla eventually left with his supporters.

 Clerk held in Raigarh with ₹60,000

In Raigarh district, ACB arrested clerk Tularam Patel at the Chhal tehsil office for allegedly demanding ₹1 lakh to correct errors in a B-1 land record. Acting on a complaint by Bhanupratap Patel, the bureau laid a trap and caught Patel accepting ₹60,000 on Friday. Investigations are ongoing to determine if others were involved.

 Head constable faces bribery rap

In a related development from Bilaspur, a head constable was suspended after a video emerged showing him demanding ₹10,000 to release three accused. The officer was heard saying in the clip, “I cannot let go of three people for just ₹5,000. Arrange ₹10,000 for all three.” The police department has initiated disciplinary proceedings.

The multiple incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of the month-long ‘Sushasan Tihar’, which the state government has been promoting as a citizen-centric initiative. Officials say they are reviewing the complaints and further action is expected.