Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Friday ordered to suspend the Katni City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Neha Pachisia on an immediate note, after a case was registered against her over allegations of coercion, fraud and criminal conspiracy in connection with a land transaction late Thursday night, officials said.

Treating the case as a serious one, CM Dr Yadav directed the state’s Chief Secretary to issue immediate suspension orders and stressed that negligence, pressure or misuse of official position in matters concerning law and order would not be tolerated.

MP CM Dr Yadav (Left) and suspended CSP Neha Pachisia

CM assures strict action against guilty

In a post on X, CM Dr Yadav said an impartial inquiry would be conducted into the entire matter and strict action would follow against anyone found guilty.

The Chief Minister said there would be no compromise on accountability, making it clear that officials at any level could not misuse their position or exert pressure while dealing with law-and-order matters.

The action follows a recent order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which dismissed Pachisia’s petition and declined to grant her interim relief. The police department subsequently adopted a stricter legal position in the case, an official said.

MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav orders suspension of Katni CSP Pachisia

Land allegedly sold below government valuation

Katni Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinav Vishwakarma said the case was registered at Kuthla police station following a complaint from the Bhopal Vigilance Branch and directions from the Jabalpur Zone.

The FIR names the CSP and other accused under charges relating to fraud, coercion and criminal conspiracy. The matter concerns land owned by Ramesh Lodhi within the jurisdiction of Kuthla police station.

According to a departmental inquiry, the land’s value under government guidelines was assessed at Rs 82,86,930. However, investigators alleged that the Lodhi family was pressured into selling it for just Rs 18,20,000 in the name of Maruf Ahmed Hanafi.

The transaction documents reportedly recorded Rs 15 lakh as payment through cheque and Rs 3.20 lakh in cash.

Probe raises questions over source of funds

An investigation conducted by Jabalpur Additional Superintendent of Police Anu Beniwal reportedly found that Hanafi did not have sufficient funds in his bank account to finance the purchase.

According to the investigation, his account contained only Rs 3,036 on July 11, 2025. However, on April 15, 2026, the date of registration, Rs 15 lakh was transferred into the account. Of this amount, Rs 10 lakh allegedly came from the account of Shine Partners, while another Rs 5 lakh was transferred by Kshitij Raj Barapatre.

Investigators also found that the bank accounts of Shine Partners and Barapatre shared the same PAN number. The probe report stated that Barapatre was believed to be a close associate, relative or business partner of CSP Pachisia.

Family allegedly threatened

The investigating police personnel said Ramesh Lodhi was in jail and facing a criminal investigation when he was allegedly pressured into selling the property at a substantially reduced price.

Lodhi’s son, Akash Lodhi, alleged that his family was threatened after his father sought cancellation of the disputed registry and transfer, which had taken place while he was in jail. According to the official, the Jabalpur Zone office directed the Katni SP on August 18, 2026, to initiate legal action based on the findings of the inquiry.

Following the investigation, Kuthla police registered the case against Pachisia and others under Sections 61, 198, 199(B), 308(7) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).