FIR against Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s Additional Commissioner:Lokayukta raids over crores in fake bill scam, 10-year server data seized

In a major crackdown on a fake bill scam worth crores, the Lokayukta police conducted raids at Bhopal Municipal Corporation on Friday. The team searched the corporation’s data centre and several other branches, seizing documents and server data spanning nearly 10 years. The Lokayukta received a complaint in November 2025 regarding fake payments at the corporation. After preliminary investigation confirmed the allegations, an FIR was registered on 9 March against Commissioner Gunwant Sevatkar under sections relating to corruption, criminal conspiracy, and fraud. Subsequent raids were carried out after obtaining search warrants from the court. Fake bills generated through software According to Lokayukta SP Durgesh Rathore, the complaint alleges that fake bills were prepared using software, and crores were paid to firms owned by acquaintances and relatives without any actual work being done. Simultaneous raids at three locations Around 10:30 AM, the Lokayukta team raided the accounts branch, computer branch, data centre, the main office at Link Road-2, and the old office at Fatehgarh simultaneously. Officials said that examination of digital data and documents could reveal the involvement of other employees and firms in the case. SAP software data seized Preliminary investigation indicates serious irregularities in some works linked to the Motor Works branch, Water Works Department, and General Administration Department. The team also seized digital data from SAP software related to payments. The investigation will now determine for which works payments were made and whether the work was actually carried out. Additional Commissioner says – Payments after discussion with Commissioner Additional Commissioner Gunwant Sevatkar stated that bills are neither prepared nor approved directly in the accounts branch. Bills come from the relevant departments after verification and payments are made only after discussion with the Municipal Commissioner based on fund availability.