Economic Offence Wing (EOW) Jabalpur registered a case of corruption against three officers of Agriculture Department Dindori, including a retired officer, for misusing their positions in fraudulent distribution of chickpea and lentil seeds in Mehandwani Block amounting to Rs 32.40 lakh. Further investigations are likely to reveal more corrupt practices in other three blocks in Dindori district. The matter came to light after a complaint reached the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), prompting a detailed investigation.

 

According to officials, the former Deputy Director of Agriculture in Dindori, along with a Branch In-Charge and a Senior Agriculture Development Officer, misused their official positions and misused large quantities of chickpea and lentil seeds. Following a preliminary inquiry, the EOW Jabalpur has registered a case against all three officials, including a retired officer. The complaint was initially received by the Economic Offences Wing in Bhopal, alleging irregularities in the distribution of chickpea and lentil seeds under the TRFA scheme during the financial year 2021–22 in Mehandwani block of Dindori district.

 

The investigation, led by EOW Jabalpur DSP Swarnjeet Singh Dhami, revealed that while chickpea seeds were officially distributed to 728 farmers (totalling 546 quintals), an additional fake list of 372 farmers was created to falsely show distribution of 276.75 quintals. Similarly, while lentil seeds were shown to be distributed to 305 genuine farmers (121.5 quintals), another fake list of 295 farmers was prepared to account for an additional 118 quintals of lentil seeds. In further probe, records showed that these extra seeds never arrived at Mehandwani block office, confirming that the distribution was entirely fraudulent. The fake documentation was allegedly prepared at the instruction of then Deputy Director Ashwini Jharia and retired Branch In-Charge Inder Lal Gauria. The operation was executed by Hemant Maravi, Senior Agriculture Development Officer at Mehandwani. After confirming allegations through official records and investigation, EOW registered a case against all three accused officials while further investigation is underway.