A day after transfer of Ashok Nagar Collector Aditya Singh following alleged bribery demand of Rs 3 crore, Anantpur Trust has come out to deny that Aditya Singh demanded any bribe from the Trust.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, Shabd Sagar Anand Mahatma of the Trust said that no money was ever demanded by the former Collector, nor did the Trust has registered any complaint against him. He termed the reports of a bribe demand as “completely baseless”.
The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday had transferred Aditya Singh abruptly as Deputy Secretary in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department. He was replaced by Saket Malviya.
“The Trust has no information about the grounds on which such allegations were made. The news claiming that money was sought from us is false. Those spreading such misinformation should be identified and investigated,” the statement said.
Felicitation and transfer announced on the same day
It was kind of ironical on Wednesday that felicitation and transfer was announced on the same day for Aditya Singh.
In the day time, it was announced that Aditya Singh would be honored by the Governor on January 25 for better performance in Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Ashok Nagar. Later during night, his transfer order came out following unconfirmed allegations of bribery.
Who is Aditya Singh?
Aditya Singh is a 2014 batch IAS officer. He is regarded as empathetic and effective officer with good track record. As the Collector of Ashok Nagar, Aditya Singh used to tour villages two or three days a week. He would go among people and listen to their problems. Many times he would even go by bicycle.
During rains, he personally reached the spot at midnight to rescue people trapped in floods. During his tenure, the number of applicants in public hearings increased to 1200. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has also praised him many times from open platforms.
What is Anandpur Trust?
The Anandpur Dham Ashram, which started 95 years ago with just a hut near Isagadh on Chanderi Road about 42 kilometers away from Ashok Nagar district headquarters, is spread over about 1500 bighas.
Pradeep Ahirwar, Madhya Pradesh President of Congress Scheduled Caste Department, held a press conference in Bhopal on Monday. He said that illegal activities have been going on in Anandpur Dham for years. Young men are being exploited here. An organised prostitution racket is running.
Ahirwar had also said that the trust has encroached upon tribal land and government property. Despite complaints of cow slaughter in 2025, no action was taken even at the DGP level.
He had alleged that police did not take action even after the complaint. No concrete steps were taken on the memorandum given to the Collector.
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