Retired civil servants demand probe into IAS land deal in Madhya Pradesh

By A Representative

A collective of 62 retired civil servants has urged the Madhya Pradesh government to order an impartial judicial inquiry into what they describe as a “highly suspicious” involving officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).

In an open letter addressed to , the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) cited a Dainik Bhaskar report alleging that fifty officers from multiple state cadres purchased 2.023 hectares of agricultural land in , , on April 4, 2022. The transaction was executed through a single registered deed, despite no cooperative society being formed, and recorded at ₹5.50 crore against a market value of ₹7.78 crore.

The letter highlights subsequent developments that allegedly boosted the land’s value: the approval of a in August 2023 skirting the site, and a change in land use from agricultural to residential in June 2024. Prices reportedly escalated from ₹81.75 per sq. ft. in 2022 to ₹2,500–3,000 per sq. ft. in 2026, resulting in an appreciation of ₹50–60 crore.

The signatories questioned whether officers had prior knowledge of the bypass project and the land use change, and why no transparent mechanism such as a cooperative society was adopted. They warned that the episode raises grave concerns about integrity in public service.

Quoting the letter: “Government officers, especially those belonging to the All India Services (AIS), are the ultimate custodians of law, and any aspersion that they are manipulating the law for their personal benefit, must be fully investigated, promptly and impartially.”

The CCG has demanded that a retired High Court judge be appointed to lead the inquiry and that the government impose a blanket stay on any sale or alienation of the land until the investigation concludes. The group stressed that AIS officers must be held to higher standards of probity, even if it means “passing through a trial by fire.”

To Sonam Wangchuk: 'Will undertake 70 hour solidarity fast in Gujarat'

By Martin Macwan * Dear Colleague Sonam Wangchuk, I have never met you personally. I wrote a short article at the time of your arrest. Your work correctly introduces you. There is truth in your words. You have embarked on a fast, following the footsteps of Gandhiji. Your intention is to make people think. Your demand is reasonable; I believe that the resignation of a single education minister will not improve the state of education in India. However, the question you have raised is extremely important for the future generation of the marginalized. Education is the key to power, development, and progress, which empowers a citizen.

Sardar made up his mind on Pakistan in Dec 1946 "before" Mountbatten's Partition Plan

By Hari Desai* One has to be extra cautious while dealing with the history of towering personalities of the Indian freedom struggle, especially that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (October 31, 1875 - December 15, 1950). Present-day politicians prefer to "pronounce” on his life and quote him according to their convenience like a blind person describing an elephant.

US civil society coalition slams Hudson Institute for hosting RSS leaders

By A Representative The Hudson Institute ’s “New India Conference,” held on April 23, featured senior figures from India’s ruling political ecosystem, including RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and BJP foreign affairs head Vijay Chauthaiwale . The event also included U.S. officials and former diplomats such as Kurt Campbell, Kenneth Juster, and Nisha Biswal, alongside India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra.

Counterview

Search This Blog