MP Seed Corporation officer under scrutiny:Used fake documents to get job, earned ₹1.55 crore unlawfully over decades

A shocking case of long-term systemic fraud has surfaced in the Madhya Pradesh State Seed and Farm Development Corporation (MPSSFDC), revealing how a single officer held a key post for over two decades on the basis of forged documents. Lal Singh, a resident of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly secured a reserved category job using fake caste and domicile certificates and has drawn more than ₹1.55 crore in salary over 23 years. Even after the fraud was exposed, and the Agriculture Department Secretary issued clear orders to terminate his service and register a criminal case, senior officials in the Seed Corporation are reportedly attempting to shield him, raising serious questions about institutional accountability. Bhaskar conducted an in-depth investigation into this entire matter, which revealed how a person exploited the loopholes in the system to deceive the government for years and deprived a deserving Scheduled Caste person of Madhya Pradesh of their rights. Read the report… How Lal Singh exploited systemic loopholes The story of Lal Singh’s fraudulent career highlights how systemic loopholes and weak verification mechanisms allowed him to deceive authorities, occupy a reserved post unlawfully, and prevent deserving candidates from accessing opportunities intended for them. According to documents reviewed by Bhaskar, Lal Singh’s entire education was completed in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Yet, he applied for a post under Madhya Pradesh’s Scheduled Caste reserved quota, which explicitly requires candidates to be residents of the state and belong to the SC category. The recruitment scam in two steps 1. Advertisement and Fake application In 2002, the MP State Seed and Farm Development Corporation launched a special recruitment drive for Assistant Manager (Production) positions. The advertisement clearly stated that applicants must be residents of Madhya Pradesh and belong to the Scheduled Caste category. Lal Singh applied under this reserved category on 10 December 2002. After an interview, he was formally appointed on 7 January 2003 through an appointment letter (Order No. HO/Prasha/Vi.Bh.A./2002/3893). On paper, everything appeared legitimate. 2. Web of forged documents During the routine verification process, Lal Singh submitted documents that were far from legitimate. He produced a temporary caste certificate (No. 65-S Cr. 6455, Case No. 2296/2002-2003, dated 19 August 2003) issued by the Naib Tehsildar, Gwalior. The certificate was temporary, suspicious, and allegedly not meant for him. In addition, Lal Singh manipulated his domicile certificate, altering his school grade from fourth to fifth, despite the fact that his education had entirely been in Jhansi. These documents, when cross-checked, do not correspond with his actual history, clearly indicating deliberate forgery. RTI exposes the extent of fraud The layers of Lal Singh’s deception were exposed when complainant Karmveer Chauhan used the Right to Information (RTI) Act to access official records. RTI documents revealed that the caste certificate Lal Singh submitted was originally issued to Chandra Kishore Yadav, a resident of Gwalior, thereby making Lal Singh’s certificate completely fraudulent. This discovery underscores not only individual wrongdoing but also institutional failure, as authorities failed to identify the fraud for decades. Attempt to suppress the story When Bhaskar reporters confronted Lal Singh with documentary evidence of his forgery, he attempted to evade questions and later pleaded with the reporters not to publish the story, citing fear of public exposure. Lal Singh told the reporter: “This case is pending in the High Court and under investigation. I hope your platform will support me, so please don’t publish this story.” His statement reflects an awareness of wrongdoing and an attempt to manipulate the media to protect his decades-long fraudulent career. Secretary orders termination and criminal proceedings Despite clear proof, administrative action has stalled. On 2 January 2026, Agriculture Department Secretary Nishant Varwade issued detailed orders to the MPSSFDC, directing immediate termination of Lal Singh’s services and registration of a criminal case. However, more than a month later, the file reportedly remains pending, drawing attention to the bureaucratic lethargy and possible protection extended by senior officials within the corporation. MD’s evasive response When asked by Bhaskar why the Secretary’s order had not been implemented, MPSSFDC MD Sandeep Kerketta gave an evasive reply, stating that the matter had been sent to the board for discussion. This raises critical questions: if the administrative head of the department has already declared the appointment illegal, why is it being referred to the board? Does this delay signal an attempt to protect the accused? Beyond fake appointment: Alleged corruption Lal Singh’s alleged misconduct extends beyond securing an illegal appointment. During his tenure as Regional Manager in Satna, he is accused of embezzling 60–80 lakh rupees worth of seeds between 2014–2022 at farms including Paundi, Sindurkhar, and Rewra. Had these seeds reached farmers, they could have yielded approximately 25,000 quintals of certified seeds, benefiting both farmers and the corporation. Investigations into this alleged embezzlement are reportedly moving at a slow pace, raising further concerns about accountability. Complainant demands justice Karmveer Chauhan, who brought this fraud to light, demands: Justice for the Scheduled Caste candidate whose rightful opportunity was stolen. He stressed that the fraud not only cost the exchequer but also deprived a deserving candidate of a career opportunity, compounding social injustice. Five questions raising doubts about officials’ intentions These questions underscore deep systemic failures that allowed the fraud to persist for over 20 years, raising concerns about transparency and governance in public institutions. The bigger picture This case is not merely about one officer’s deception. It highlights the vulnerabilities in recruitment systems, the lack of timely verification, and bureaucratic inertia that enable individuals to exploit public offices for personal gain. It also raises questions about ethics in public service, as senior officials allegedly safeguard those violating rules while honest citizens are left in uncertainty. In a state where reserved category posts aim to empower marginalised communities, this kind of fraud undermines the very intent of affirmative action, depriving eligible candidates of opportunities and eroding trust in public institutions. Bhopal-based investigative journalists continue to follow the case closely, seeking answers from the Seed Corporation, the Agriculture Department, and other concerned authorities. While Lal Singh remains in his post, the public demands that justice be delivered swiftly and transparently, with full recovery of illegally drawn salaries and criminal accountability for those responsible.