Bhaskar Investigation sparks major action:Two DSPs removed and sent to police headquarter; seven officials face action so far

The alleged corruption exposed in the Lokayukta office through a sting operation published by Dainik Bhaskar Digital has had an immediate impact. Within hours of the report being published, the Lokayukta organisation initiated action against several officials and employees. Lokayukta ADG Yogesh Deshmukh has removed DSPs B.M. Dwivedi and Manju Singh from the Lokayukta organisation and attached them to the Police Headquarters (PHQ). A proposal seeking the suspension of both officers has also been forwarded to the PHQ. Three employees suspended On Wednesday (3 June), ADG Yogesh Deshmukh ordered the suspension of three employees. Those suspended are Head Constable Ramdas Kurmi, Constable Gaurav Sahu, and Head Constable Yashwant Singh Thakur. Further action recommended The ADG has also sent a proposal to the competent authorities seeking the suspension of Head Constable Brijbihari Pandey. In addition, disciplinary action has been recommended against contract vehicle driver Amit Vishwakarma. Detailed probe ordered In his order, the ADG specifically referred to the report published by Dainik Bhaskar on 3 June 2026, stating that suspicious activities highlighted in the report formed the basis for the action. The order further directs that a detailed investigation be conducted against all concerned employees and that a report be submitted at the earliest.
Action taken against employees after Bhaskar’s exposure B.M. Dwivedi, DSP – Attached to PHQ; suspension recommended
Manju Singh, DSP – Attached to PHQ; suspension recommended
Ramdas Kurmi, Head Constable – Suspended
Yashwant Singh Thakur, Head Constable – Suspended
Gaurav Sahu, Constable – Suspended
Brijbihari Pandey, Head Constable – Suspension recommended
Amit Vishwakarma, Contract Vehicle Driver – Suspension recommended How the Bhaskar Reporter reached them and uncovered the alleged corruption Reporter posed as a relative of the accused The Bhaskar investigation team had been receiving repeated complaints that some employees of the Lokayukta organisation were allegedly negotiating payments in the name of securing relief for government employees caught in trap cases. To verify these claims, a Bhaskar reporter investigated over a period of one and a half months. The team first gathered details of trap cases registered by the Lokayukta over the past few years. From these, cases were identified in which government employees had been caught allegedly accepting bribes and where investigations were still pending. The reporter then assumed the identity of a relative of the accused in such cases. Using this cover, the reporter established contact with Lokayukta employees and officials. During these interactions, the reporter sought to determine whether cases could be influenced through the payment of money. Those who struck deals began pressuring for payment After recording the entire conversation with Lokayukta officials and employees on camera, the Bhaskar reporter neither contacted them again nor delivered any money. A few days later, however, they allegedly began calling and sending WhatsApp messages to the reporter. Amit Vishwakarma allegedly went as far as sending messages threatening to worsen the case. Gaurav Sahu, reader to DSP Manju Singh, allegedly told the reporter to bring ₹2 lakh and hand it over outside the Lokayukta office. Subsequently, the reporter received a phone call from a number said to belong to DSP Manju Singh. During the call, a woman allegedly asked the reporter when a reply to a letter would be arranged, adding that if it was done quickly, the report could be prepared sooner.