Suspended Patwari accuses Mandla Collector of mental torture:Claims family forcibly confined at home; association links action to land dispute

In Mandla, a patwari named Sandeep Kushwaha’s mental health reportedly broke down after being suspended. His WhatsApp message on December 18 revealed that his wife and children were locked in their house and allegedly had a device installed on them. This incident triggered protests from the Patwari Association and led to his reinstatement. Disturbing WhatsApp message On December 18, Sandeep Kushwaha sent a message to the Mandla district Patwaris’ group: “My wife and both children have been locked in the house for three days. They have installed a device on them. I don’t know you. Please release my family.” At that time, Kushwaha was suspended. Colleagues feared his mental state had deteriorated due to the suspension. Immediate action by colleagues Patwari colleagues rushed to Sandeep’s house in Lalipur. They found him locked in a room, terrified, and unable to speak properly. Seeing his condition, they immediately took him to Nagpur for medical treatment. Patwari Association alleges mental torture The District Patwari Association protested against the administration, claiming Sandeep had been mentally tortured by officials, including then Collector Somesh Mishra, for months. The association said that the suspension was not justified and pushed the administration to reinstate him. Land deal behind the dispute The matter allegedly began over a land dispute. Sandeep’s maternal uncle and aunt owned a piece of land next to the city bypass. Adjacent to it was land owned by businessman Sanjay Tiwari. Tiwari required access to the uncle’s land and completed a deal, registering it legally. The association claims Tiwari misled Collector Somesh Mishra, claiming the land belonged to Patwari Sandeep. Following this, Sandeep was allegedly pressured to reduce the deal amount, which he refused, saying the land was not his. Suspension and backdated order The association alleged that Collector Mishra treated Sandeep’s refusal as a personal insult. Sandeep was suspended via a backdated order from September 2, while the notice was handed on September 15. The suspension, they claim, was based on an anonymous and fake complaint. The pressure of suspension and investigation reportedly affected Sandeep’s mental health over three months. Administration’s stand The district administration rejected these allegations. Former Collector Somesh Mishra stated that Sandeep’s suspension was due to negligence in administrative duties. A complaint alleged he had created benami property by buying land while posted in the city. The suspension was lifted later upon his request. The administration accused the Patwari Association of politicising the matter. Alleged links between Collector businessman Reports suggest a long-standing connection between Collector Mishra and businessman Sanjay Tiwari. The association claims that Tiwari used this connection to benefit commercially, including filling a public well near his showroom. Tiwari is also the secretary of the city’s oldest English medium school, where the Collector serves as ex-officio chairman. Family lives in fear Since returning from treatment, Sandeep and his family have remained in fear. The family reportedly stayed locked in the house and avoided talking to anyone. Even when approached by reporters, the family refused to speak. Finally, Sandeep agreed to talk briefly. He said he had a spotless career of 18 years, served in rural areas, and was respected everywhere. He emphasised that the suspension had caused immense mental stress. Patwari Association demands judicial inquiry The Patwari Association continues to demand a judicial inquiry into the entire matter, citing administrative negligence, mental torture, and the alleged misuse of power in the district.