Allegations of bribery in transfer postings have surfaced in Madhya Pradesh after a Dainik Bhaskar sting operation caught a minister’s staff member, a Vallabh Bhawan clerk, and an Energy Development Corporation employee on camera, allegedly demanding lakhs of rupees for transfers. The staffer sought ₹2.5 lakh for shifting an RAEO, the clerk demanded ₹5 lakh for a nurse’s transfer, and the corporation employee asked for ₹4.5 lakh. During the investigation, the team contacted four ministers, one MLA, and four clerks and officers, with some denying any involvement. The state government had allowed transfers from June 1 to 16, during which more than 20,000 employees were transferred through a mandatory online process. Using fake applications, the team gained the trust of the accused and arranged meetings for the sting operation. Upon receiving information, the team contacted Dinesh Bakoria as agents. After trust was established, a meeting was scheduled at Urja Bhawan. During the conversation, Dinesh said that he had a strong hold on health department matters. Dinesh: Did you tell them the transfer is from Damoh to Jabalpur? Reporter: Not necessarily Jabalpur, anywhere nearby like Patan would work. Dinesh: For the staff nurse, assume ₹3.5 lakh. Such work doesn’t happen without the minister’s involvement. Reporter: Someone else asked us for ₹5.5 lakh. Tell me where to deposit the money. Dinesh: Don’t you know anyone in Bhopal? Reporter: We do, but they may not know you. Should we pay the full amount? Dinesh: An advance? Reporter: We’ll give ₹50,000 in cash as advance and a post-dated cheque of ₹3 lakh from Madam, who is a government employee. Once the work is done, we’ll replace the cheque with cash. Dinesh: Fine. Reporter: The department is different. How will you manage the transfer? Dinesh: We’ll get it done. You just eat the mango, don’t count the pits. After two phone conversations, Ankit Avadhiya called the reporter to Vallabh Bhawan. In the conversation held in a separate cabin, he allegedly quoted different amounts for transfers to different posts. He also discussed 4.5 to 5 lakh rupees for a nurse’s transfer and payment, and advance in other cases. Ankit: A forest guard from Narmadapuram wants a transfer to Morena. Everyone has a fixed share in these deals, and we also put in effort. A nurse’s transfer to Bhopal costs ₹5 lakh. Reporter: What about Jabalpur? Ankit: Same there. You can get it done for ₹4.5 lakh. Reporter: We pay on trust. What if the work doesn’t happen and the money gets stuck? Ankit: (Pointing to a paper) Pick it up and read the bottom line. Reporter: What’s this? Below Forest Divisional Officer… Deputy DFO? Ankit: No, SDO. Such things aren’t meant to be discussed. This is a ₹15 lakh job, and not a single rupee was taken in advance. During the conversation, Ankit, suspecting he was being recorded, checked the reporter’s mobile phone and remarked, ‘These days, I’m scared of mobile phones and such things.’ On June 12, the reporter reached the official bungalow of Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kansana. There, he met Rohan and Ashok Batham. Rohan introduced himself as the minister’s PA, while Batham is an employee of the minister’s staff. Rohan inquired about the application, online process, employee posting, and preferred location. Later, the reporter spoke with Ashok Kumar Batham. Batham: Did you come sleeping, so late? Reporter: Yes sir, I got a little late. Batham: Where do you want to go in Jabalpur? Reporter: Please arrange it anywhere nearby. Batham (getting straight to the point): Did you bring the payment in cash? Reporter: I haven’t brought it with me right now. Batham: When will you give it then? Reporter: When you say, I will give it today or tomorrow. (After this, for a long time, there was a discussion between Batham, PA Rohan, and two other people sitting in the cabin regarding government files and other matters. After a while, Rohan interrupted Batham again and pointed towards the reporter) Rohan: What is this brother’s problem? Sort him out now. Batham: Okay, sort him out. (Looking at the reporter) Brother, all the business (the game of transfers) has stopped now. But, if you can spend up to two and a half lakh (2.5 lakh) rupees, then come… take the number and call. (Rohan immediately picked up a slip of paper, wrote his number on it, and handed the slip to the reporter) Post navigation Rain lashes Bhopal and Indore:Shivpuri records 46 km/h winds, with storm alerts for four districts ‘She couldn’t gather courage for a fourth NEET attempt’:Father of Indore student who died by suicide says, ‘She was under extreme stress’
