Members of Madhya Pradesh Revenue Officers (Junior Administrative Service) Association, Jabalpur Unit have challenged findings of Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Revenue Officer and Patwari. Association President, Shashank Dubey, in a press conference on Friday, informed that mutation application submitted by the applicant Harpendra Singh’s mother pertained to Khasra No. 17. However, the attached land records referenced Khata No. 17, which includes Khasra Nos. 86/2 and 87/2. It appears the applicant mistakenly wrote Khasra No. 17 instead of correctly identifying the relevant Khasra numbers from Khata No. 17.

 

Despite this clerical error, the Patwari conducted a site inspection of the correct land parcel as per the attached Khasra copy and prepared a Panchanama accordingly. The Tehsildar, based on this verification and standard administrative process, proceeded with the mutation. Officials argue that such minor technical errors are common and do not typically result in rejection of mutation applications. He alleged that EOW’s interpretation that the mutation was carried out for an entirely different parcel of land is therefore being considered baseless. It is emphasised that EOW overlooked key facts related to the khata and khasra references in revenue records, leading to an inaccurate conclusion. He also charged that the second allegation pertained to the acceptance of a forged death certificate without verification. However, it has been clarified that the Tehsildar is not mandatorily required to verify every death certificate submitted with mutation applications.

 

In this case, the certificate was initially accepted after being scanned for a barcode. Once doubts were raised, the Tehsildar independently initiated a verification process. Upon receiving confirmation from the Municipal Corporation that the certificate was indeed forged, the mutation order was revoked the same day. Notably, it was the Patwari who first flagged the irregularity. Officials argue that the swift and responsible actions of the Tehsildar and Patwari demonstrate administrative integrity rather than criminal collusion. The assumption of intentional wrongdoing by EOW is thus considered unfounded. Office-bearers and members of Madhya Pradesh Revenue Officers Association have forwarded memorandum to Collector addressing the Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary for intervening the issue for making justice with Tehsildar and Patwari.