Rewa MP demands probe into IAS Santosh Verma’s promotion:Says, ‘He changed his caste from SC to ST’; court had already declared his selection invalid

The controversy surrounding AJAX President and IAS officer Santosh Verma, currently serving as Deputy Secretary in Madhya Pradesh’s Agriculture Department, continues to escalate. Rewa MP Janardan Mishra has now questioned Verma’s promotion and written to Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh, demanding an inquiry. Three demands placed before Centre In his letter dated November 28, 2025, MP Mishra raised 3 major demands: Claim of selection declared invalid by court Mishra has claimed that Verma’s induction into the IAS violated procedural rules. According to him, Verma was selected under the Scheduled Tribe quota despite belonging to the Scheduled Caste category. The MP added that a court order in 2021 had declared Verma’s selection and certification invalid. Based on this, Mishra said Verma should have been stripped of his post and associated benefits. The MP further mentioned that Verma’s name had appeared in multiple cases earlier, including contempt of court, use of indecent language and obstruction of government work, for which he reportedly served a prison sentence. Allegation of violating equality principles Mishra wrote that Verma’s recent controversial comments were not only derogatory toward a particular community but also violated the constitutional principle of equality. At a time when the central government is promoting caste-based welfare schemes and social harmony, such statements, he said, undermine the administration’s efforts and damage the government’s image. He termed Verma’s comments ‘against administrative ethics and sensitivity.’ Deputy CM condemns officer’s remark Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla also reacted strongly. Posting on X, he wrote that the statements made by the IAS officer regarding ‘sisters and daughters’ were objectionable, insensitive and socially divisive. Shukla said such remarks from a senior government official raise questions on administrative dignity and disturb social harmony. Karni Sena leader issues violent threat Amid the escalating controversy, Kshatriya Karni Sena’s National Youth President Okendra Rana posted a threatening message against Verma on Facebook, saying that wherever Verma is found, ‘run all four tyres of the vehicle over him’ and ‘crush him.’ Police and administrative authorities have not yet issued any formal statement regarding Mishra’s letter or the social media threat.