A government revenue official was brutally assaulted in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh while attempting to halt an unauthorized excavation operation. The victim, identified as Patwari Ajay Chauhan, sustained a fractured arm and had his clothes torn by a group of men involved in illegal sand and soil mining.
Assault Following the Seizure of Machinery
The incident transpired on Thursday afternoon within the jurisdiction of the Barkheda police station, specifically in Devgarh village. Chauhan had traveled to the area to carry out his official administrative duties. While inspecting the location, he observed a tractor and a JCB machine actively carrying out illegal excavation near a local stream. Upon questioning the operators regarding their activities and demanding to see the necessary legal permits, the individuals failed to provide any valid documentation or explanation.
Consequently, Chauhan proceeded to draft an official spot memo, known as a panchnama, in the presence of several local villagers. He then issued instructions for the JCB machine to be confiscated and driven to the nearest police station for further legal proceedings.
Brutal Thrashing and Destruction of Official Records
This regulatory action provoked the operators. Initially, three men confronted Chauhan and initiated a physical scuffle. Within a short span of time, a fourth accomplice arrived at the scene. The four individuals then launched a coordinated and violent assault on the official.
During the physical confrontation, the attackers tore Chauhan's clothes and forcefully snatched his administrative bag. They retrieved the freshly prepared panchnama document from the bag and tore it to pieces to destroy any evidence of their illegal activities.
Rescue and Ongoing Police Hunt for Suspects
The severity of the beating left Chauhan with a fractured hand. Despite his injuries, he managed to contact senior administrative officers and dialled the emergency service, Dial-112, for assistance. However, all the accused managed to flee the site before the police personnel could arrive.
Emergency responders initially transported the injured official to the hospital in Alot for primary medical care. Due to the nature of his injuries, medical professionals subsequently referred him to the Ratlam Medical College for advanced treatment. The local police have launched an active investigation to apprehend the runaway suspects and are currently interrogating several individuals in connection with the assault.
Prior Requests Denied Due to Risk to Infrastructure
According to the victim, this was not the first time the suspects had attempted to excavate the site. Chauhan revealed that the individuals had previously approached him seeking permission to operate their JCB machine near the stream, which he had denied. The unapproved digging was taking place near a local culvert structure, posing a significant risk of structural damage to the public property.
Confirming the assault, Vandana Karade, the Tehsildar of Alot, stated that Chauhan had visited his designated administrative circle (halka) as part of his duties. She confirmed that the violent confrontation occurred when the officer attempted to stop the unlawful mining activities.
