Katni CSP ‘used police machinery’ to force family into Rs 18 lakh land deal; CM orders suspension | Bhopal News
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav has ordered the immediate suspension of Katni City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Neha Pachisia after a case was registered against her for allegedly using coercion and fraud to purchase land in the district.Yadav directed the state chief secretary to issue immediate suspension orders on Friday.The chief minister said negligence, pressure or abuse of power at any level would not be tolerated in matters related to law and order.A fair investigation and strict action against those responsible would be ensured, an official said.The Madhya Pradesh high court recently dismissed Pachisia’s petition and denied her interim relief. Following the order, the police department also adopted a strict legal stance against her, the official said.Katni superintendent of police Abhinav Vishwakarma said, “Based on a complaint from the Bhopal Vigilance Branch and the instructions of the Jabalpur Zone, a case was registered against the CSP and other accused at the Kuthla police station in Katni on charges fraud, coercion, and criminal conspiracy.”The case relates to a land transaction involving Ramesh Lodhi, whose property falls under the jurisdiction of Kuthla police station. A departmental investigation found that the government guideline value of the land was Rs 82,86,930.However, the CSP allegedly used the police machinery and her position to pressure the Lodhi family into selling the land for just Rs 18,20,000 in the name of Maruf Ahmed Hanafi.The documents showed that Rs 15 lakh was paid by cheque and Rs 3.20 lakh in cash, the official said.An investigation by Jabalpur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anu Beniwal found that Hanafi, in whose name the land was purchased, did not have sufficient funds in his bank account to make the payment.According to the probe, his account had only Rs 3,036 on July 11, 2025.On April 15, 2026, the day the land was registered, Rs 15 lakh was transferred into Hanafi’s account. Of this, Rs 10 lakh came from the account of Shine Partners and Rs 5 lakh from the account of Kshitij Raj Barapatre, the official said.Investigators also found that the bank accounts of Shine Partners and Barapatre shared the same PAN number.According to the investigation report, Barapatre is believed to be a close associate, relative or business partner of Pachisia.The probe also found that Lodhi, who was in jail and facing investigation in a criminal case, was pressured into selling his land at a throwaway price.Lodhi’s son, Akash Lodhi, alleged that the family was threatened when his father applied to cancel the disputed registry and transfer, which had taken place while he was in jail.According to the probe report, the Jabalpur Zone office directed the Katni Superintendent of Police on August 18, 2026, to take legal action in the matter.Following the investigation, a case was registered at Kuthla police station on the instructions of senior officials. BNS Sections 61, 198, 199(B), 308(7) and 318(4) have been invoked against the CSP and others in the FIR, the official said.(With inputs from PTI)
