Tribal groups accuse Katni-MLA of 1,135-acre land scam, stage protest:BJP leader allegedly used names of 4 workers in illegal purchase; protestors say, ‘All four missing’

BJP MLA from Vijay Raghavgarh in Katni and former minister Sanjay Satyendra Pathak has been accused of involvement in a land purchase scam totaling 1,135 acres. The allegations have been raised by tribal organisations, including the Adivasi Congress and Gondwana Gantantra Party. On Wednesday, a large number of tribal activists held a demonstration at the Collector’s office, alleging that the tribals in whose names the lands were purchased are now missing and must be provided security. During the protest, slogans were raised against the state government and the MLA. A brief clash also took place between protesters and the police. ‘Land bought in names of 4 workers,’ say protesters According to protester Divyanshu Mishra, tribal groups are demanding action against the MLA over what they describe as a tribal land scam. Mishra alleges that Pathak purchased around 1,135 acres of land in Dindori district using the names of four people — Natthu Kol, Prahlad Kol, Rakesh Singh Gaud and Raghuraj Singh Gaud—who he claims are employees of the MLA. He said the Tribal Commission in Delhi has already sought details about these lands from the relevant district collectors, asking how and when the properties were registered under these tribal names. However, the collectors have not submitted their replies yet. Visuals of protest and clash with police… Complainant alleges threats; workers missing Mishra claims that all four tribals have been missing from their homes ever since the complaint was filed. He added that he submitted a written complaint to the Katni Superintendent of Police about a threat to his life, but no action has been taken. Another tribal activist said that despite submitting a complaint with supporting documents to the Katni Collector on September 29, the administration has not recorded the statements of the four tribals identified as victims in the case. Activists claim – No verification of bank accounts The complaint further states that neither the district administration nor the investigating officer has collected bank records of the four tribals for the past 25 years, which activists argue is crucial to verifying whether any transactions linked to the alleged land purchases took place. A complaint to the Superintendent of Police was filed on June 9, and Mishra’s statement was recorded on June 20. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Collector demanding that bank transaction details of all four tribals be obtained and their statements recorded at the earliest. Collectors respond to commission notice The Tribal Commission issued notices on September 15 to the Collectors of Katni, Jabalpur, Dindori, Umaria and Seoni seeking information on the case. Katni Collector Ashish Tiwari said data is being collected and a reply will soon be sent to the Commission. Umaria Collector Dharmendra Kumar Jain said a response has already been submitted and added that he is currently on leave. Dindori Collector Anju Pawan Bhadauria stated that an inquiry is underway under the supervision of the SDM and the report will be forwarded to the Commission once completed.