The Rewa Lokayukta team on Friday caught the reader (stenographer) of the Churhat Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10,000. The action was carried out by a 12-member Lokayukta team near Saryu Prasad Prajapati’s grocery shop on Churhat–Bichi Road, creating a commotion in the SDM office.
The accused has been identified as Ramhit Tiwari, posted in the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Tehsil Churhat.
Complaint Related to Ancestral Land Dispute
According to the Lokayukta, Gajendra Singh (34), son of late Shyamlal Patel and a resident of Padkhuri village, lodged a complaint at the Rewa Lokayukta office on December 23. In his complaint, Gajendra Singh stated that he owns ancestral land in Padkhuri village.
Following the death of his brother Surendra Kumar Patel, the land was allegedly transferred in the name of his sister-in-law Lalita Patel. Gajendra Singh claimed that prior to his death, Surendra Patel had executed a will in favour of both brothers and his nephew Vivek Singh.
Bribe Demanded to Favour Order
An appeal related to mutation (inheritance) of the land was filed before the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Tehsil Churhat, following which a stay order was issued by the SDM.
The complainant alleged that when he approached Ramhit Tiwari to get an order passed in his favour, the accused demanded a bribe of ₹50,000. Fearing cancellation of the stay order, the complainant had already paid ₹25,000 earlier. The remaining amount was demanded later, following which the complaint was filed with the Lokayukta.
