CBI Bribery Chargesheet in Rawatpura Medical College Case Deepens the Crisis
RAIPUR (India CSR): In a significant development with major administrative and political implications, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has reportedly ordered a probe into serious allegations against Sanjay Shukla, a 1987-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and current Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The directive comes after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against him in a bribery-related case.
According to official instructions, the PMO has referred the matter to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for examination. The move has triggered heightened activity within administrative circles, with the case now under scrutiny at both the central and state levels.
The case has sparked debate over post-retirement appointments of senior bureaucrats, accountability in regulatory bodies like RERA and the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.
Since land and housing fall under the jurisdiction of the state, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has forwarded the matter to the Urban Administration Department of the Chhattisgarh Government. The state has been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry and take necessary action.
The order also specifies that the findings of the investigation must be shared with the complainant, ensuring procedural transparency. With this, the matter has formally entered a dual-layer investigation process involving both central and state authorities.
The controversy surrounding Shukla has deepened following the CBI FIR and subsequent chargesheet in the Rawatpura Medical College bribery case, in which he has been named as an accused. The case reportedly involves alleged irregularities and bribery linked to approvals and recognition processes.
Despite the filing of a chargesheet in a corruption-related case, there has been no official removal or action taken against Shukla from his current position, raising questions within governance and policy circles.
Sources indicate that the PMO’s intervention was triggered by a complaint filed by BJP leader and advocate Naresh Chandra Gupta. The complaint raises several serious allegations against Shukla, including:
- Accumulation of assets exceeding ₹300 crore
- Alleged involvement in corruption and financial irregularities
- Misuse of administrative machinery
- High-level cover-ups
- Attempts to influence judicial processes
The complaint further claims that multiple representations had previously been made against Shukla, but no substantive action followed.
The documents also reportedly mention former Chief Secretary and former RERA Chairman Vivek Dhand, alleging that he extended protection to Shukla. These claims are now expected to be examined during the investigation.
Sanjay Shukla was officially appointed as Chhattisgarh RERA Chairman on 21 April 2023 through a state government order issued by the Housing & Environment Department, and he assumed the role after taking voluntary retirement (VRS) from the IFS.
Sanjay Shukla is a senior retired IFS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre (RR-1987), with a long career in forest and administrative governance. According to official service records, he was born on May 6, 1963, and joined the IFS on July 6, 1987.
Sanjay Shukla, a 1987-batch IFS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, is a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and former Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation. Official service records show that he was born on May 6, 1963, joined the service on July 6, 1987, and held a Pay Matrix Level 16 position with a salary scale of Rs 2,05,400 to Rs 2,24,400. A B.E. (Civil) graduate, Shukla was among the top-ranking officers in the state forest administration before later being appointed as Chhattisgarh RERA Chairman.
A former chief secretary, Vivek Dhand, a 1981-batch IAS officer, was appointed the first Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in 2018.
The involvement of central agencies and the PMO has further elevated the matter’s significance, making it a test case for administrative transparency.
The claims are currently under investigation by competent authorities, including the CBI and state agencies. No court has established guilt at this stage.
(Copyright@IndiaCSR)
