Investigation exposes Khandwa officials’ massive deception:Collector and CEO uploaded fake data and AI-generated images to win national water award, nothing exists on ground

Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh was declared the national winner for construction and conservation of water structures under the 6th National Water Awards, announced by the Union government on November 11, 2025.
The district administration claimed it had created and conserved the highest number of water bodies, earning first prize and a reward of Rs 2 crore. An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar revealed that the Khandwa district secured the country’s top National Water Award using fabricated statistics, non-existent water structures, manipulated geo-tagging and AI-generated photographs—while reality on the ground tells a completely different story. On November 18, Khandwa Collector Rishabh Gupta and District Panchayat CEO Nagarjun Gouda received the award from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. At the time, the district administration projected the award as a historic achievement. But a detailed ground investigation by Dainik Bhaskar now suggests that the honour may be built on one of the biggest cases of official misrepresentation in 2025. The administration’s grand claims According to data uploaded by Khandwa district on the Jal Sanchayan Jan Bhagidari Portal of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the administration claimed: Officials publicly stated that Khandwa had “set a new national benchmark in water conservation.” Ground zero: Where the story falls apart The investigation began in Harsud block’s Shahpura Mal Gram Panchayat, one of the areas shown as a major contributor to Khandwa’s success. 150 duck wells that exist only on paper Official records showed 150 duck wells constructed near village wells. But on the ground, the reality was starkly different. Villager Omprakash Pawar explained: The Panchayat brought a JCB and dug shallow pits—barely one or two feet deep—just for formality. No stones, no gravel, nothing that qualifies as a soak pit. In more than 50 places, not even that was done. A pipe was placed near the well, photos were clicked, and the work was declared complete. According to standard guidelines, a duck well requires layered filling of boulders and gravel to allow groundwater recharge—none of which existed. Money withdrawn without work Farmer Satish Rajput showed investigators his well, listed as completed under the Kapildhara scheme. Records show Reality Satish alleged Money was withdrawn without any work. We complained three times during Jan Sunwai (public hearings). We even showed photographs to officials. Nothing happened. A pond that turned out to be a wheat field In the same Panchayat, a pond was shown on paper in Kishorilal’s agricultural land. On inspection: Villagers said a Patwari inspected the land, acknowledged the pond never existed, prepared a report—and then disappeared from the process. No action followed. ₹4.23 lakh for a cosmetic repair In Pilani Mal Panchayat, a stop dam built in 2008 under the Rajiv Gandhi Water Mission still effectively stores water. Its cost at the time: around ₹3 lakh. In 2025: Local residents said the “new work” did not increase water storage by even a single litre. The epicentre of the scam: Punasa block The biggest irregularities were found in Harvanshpura Gram Panchayat of Punasa block. Official records claimed 11 newly constructed ponds. Reality: Local youths exposed the discrepancy using RTI applications. Armed with documents, they met Collector Rishabh Gupta three times over four months. Each visit ended with assurances—but no action. Eventually, they filed a complaint with the Lokayukta. Fearing investigation, the Panchayat hurriedly sent JCB machines and dug shallow pits in standing crops, attempting to pass them off as ponds. None of these pits retain water. Two cases that define the fraud Case 1: Two ponds in a dry stream Near Degaanv village: Both farmers said they never consented to any such construction and are now visiting government offices seeking justice. Case 2: A pond appears while the farmer attends a wedding Farmer Tulsiram narrated: There was a small pit in my field for animals. I went to a wedding. While I was away, the Panchayat Secretary arrived with a JCB and enlarged it. When I returned, I was warned not to fill it—or I’d face legal action. The pit was officially recorded as a government pond. Fake rainwater harvesting and forced photo uploads To strengthen its case, the district uploaded hundreds of photographs under the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign. Investigation revealed: Several teachers and government employees admitted they were instructed by senior officials to upload photos of their homes. Two women whose photos were listed on the portal confirmed: The AI angle: Manufactured evidence According to rules, geo-tagged photographs are mandatory to mark works as completed. Yet: This suggests that instead of completing works, officials generated artificial images to satisfy portal requirements. Administration’s response Repeated attempts to speak to Collector Rishabh Gupta failed. He later responded via WhatsApp: Completed works must have geo-tagged photographs. If works are incomplete, they remain pending on the portal and will eventually be detected. If excess funds have been withdrawn in any case, an inquiry will be conducted. Parliament takes note The controversy has now reached Lok Sabha, where MPs questioned the Ministry of Jal Shakti on: A crisis of credibility The Khandwa episode raises serious concerns about: If the allegations stand, what was celebrated as a model district may instead become a textbook case of systemic administrative fraud. The larger question If awards can be won through fake data, fake photographs and artificial intelligence, who is really safeguarding India’s water future—and who is watching the watchers? The answer now rests with investigators, Parliament, and the institutions meant to protect public trust.