The state administration in Madhya Pradesh has initiated strict disciplinary and legal proceedings against Katni City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Neha Pachisia following serious allegations of corruption, extortion, and abuse of power. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has explicitly instructed the Chief Secretary to place the senior officer under immediate suspension after an investigation revealed that high-value property belonging to a murder accused's family was forcibly acquired at a fraction of its market worth under police pressure. An official criminal case has been registered at the Kuthla police station following directives from the state police headquarters, signalling a clear zero-tolerance stance against official misconduct within law enforcement ranks.
Details of the Disputed Property Deal and Coercion Allegations
According to the investigation findings, the controversy centers on a valuable piece of land located in Kanhwara, within the Katni district. The complaint alleges that CSP Neha Pachisia and her associates exerted severe pressure and the threat of aggressive police action against Ramesh Lodhi, an individual facing murder charges, and his family members. Under this duress, a land parcel holding an official government guideline evaluation of approximately Rs 82.86 lakh was registered for a meager sum of Rs 18.20 lakh. The inquiry further established that an amount of Rs 15 lakh was channeled to the property buyer directly from the bank accounts of Kshitij Raj Barapatre to facilitate the transaction. Subsequently, the official mutation of the property was also completed under suspicious circumstances.
Registration of FIR and Involved Police Officials
Upon receiving the formal complaint, the state police headquarters ordered a detailed inquiry into the transaction. Based on the findings of the preliminary probe, an FIR has been formally lodged at the Kuthla police station. The criminal case names CSP Neha Pachisia alongside two other individuals, identified as Kshitij Raj Barapatre and Maroof Ahmad Hanafi. They have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 61, 198, 199(b), 308(7), and 318(4). Furthermore, severe allegations have been leveled against the then Kuthla police station in-charge Rajendra Mishra regarding his active involvement in applying pressure on the land owner. The final judicial determination regarding these charges will rest on evidence produced before the court.
Directives from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
Reacting swiftly to the gravity of the charges, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made it clear that corruption and tyranny by government officials will not be tolerated under any circumstances. In an official communication shared on social media platform X by the Chief Minister's Office, the administration reiterated its commitment to upholding strict law and order. The announcement emphasized that "negligence, pressure, or misuse of position at any level will not be tolerated in matters related to law and order." The Chief Minister ordered the immediate suspension of CSP Neha Pachisia while assuring the public that an impartial investigation will be conducted to ensure that all guilty parties face stringent legal consequences.
