Air hostess-turned-cop untraceable after FIR in Madhya Pradesh land deal

A dismissed police officer in Lucknow has been arrested for allegedly demanding Rs 50,000 from an individual and issuing threats, according to local reports. The incident has drawn attention to ongoing corruption and misconduct within law enforcement circles in the region. The officer, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was previously dismissed from service but has now been taken into custody following the allegations against him. The arrest comes amid a broader investigation involving several high-ranking officials in Madhya Pradesh. Neha Pachisia, a senior police officer and former air hostess, has been booked in connection with an alleged coercive land deal in Katni district. Pachisia, who holds the position of City Superintendent of Police in Katni, faces serious accusations related to the sale of 2.15 hectares of land belonging to the family of Akash Lodhi, an accused in a murder case. The allegations emerged after Lodhi secured default bail due to the failure of police authorities to file a chargesheet within the mandated 90-day period. Following his release, Lodhi reportedly filed a complaint alleging that his family had been pressured into selling their land while he was in jail. This led to an investigation initiated by the Chief Minister's Helpline, which prompted senior officers to look into the entire case. According to the complaint, Ramesh Lodhi, Akash's father, was allegedly forced to stay at a house for two days under pressure from Pachisia before being transported in a government vehicle to Kanhwara, where the land was registered. The deal was allegedly finalized for Rs 1.07 crore, although the family claims they only received a cheque for Rs 15 lakh at the time of registration and were promised the remaining Rs 92 lakh within seven days. However, this amount was allegedly never paid. Investigators discovered that the land was valued at approximately Rs 82.86 lakh based on government guidelines, while the registration documents indicated a payment of only Rs 18.20 lakh. In addition to Pachisia, Kshitij Raj Barapatre and Maroof Ahmed Hanfi have also been implicated in the case. Police have sealed Pachisia’s office and are actively searching for these individuals. A Special Investigation Team is expected to be formed to handle the case thoroughly. The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended Pachisia on the orders of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Pachisia has also faced previous allegations of misconduct. Transport operator Mahendra Jain accused her of demanding Rs 30,000 after one of his trucks was stopped during an inspection on July 21. Jain stated that Rs 25,000 was collected in cash immediately, with the remaining Rs 5,000 to be paid the following day. He claimed he was threatened with the impoundment of his truck if he refused to comply. In response, Katni Superintendent of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma ordered a preliminary inquiry after receiving Jain's complaint and supporting evidence. As part of the investigation, Pachisia’s driver, constable Keshav Singh, was suspended, and the probe was transferred to Additional Superintendent of Police Kamal Maurya. Furthermore, three police stations were removed from Pachisia’s jurisdiction and reassigned to another officer. These actions indicate a growing concern over potential corruption and abuse of power within the police department. The situation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies. As the investigations continue, more details about the involvement of other officials and the extent of the alleged misconduct are expected to emerge. The outcome of these cases could have significant implications for the integrity of the police force in the state.