Madhya Pradesh: Dewas SDM suspended over controversial remark in official order

Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 5 (ANI): The Divisional Commissioner of Ujjain has suspended Sub-Divisional Officer (SDM) of Dewas, Anand Malviya, with immediate effect, citing "serious negligence, indifference, and irregularity" in the discharge of official duties.
Notably, the order issued by SDM Malviya had mentioned MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's controversial remark and highlighted the allegations of Congress party against the state BJP government over the Indore water contamination incident.
Ujjain Division Commissioner Ashish Singh noted that such an act falls under the category of misconduct as per the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions mentioned under Rule 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966, Anand Malviya was placed under suspension with immediate effect.
During the suspension period, Malviya's headquarters will remain at the office of the Commissioner, Ujjain Division, Ujjain, according to the January 4 order issued by Ujjain Division Commissioner .
The controversy began on January 3 with the order issued by Dewas SDM Malviya to "deploy Tehsildars and Executive Magistrates, Revenue Inspectors" for maintaining law and order during a Congress protest scheduled for January 4.
The order copy of Ujjain Divisional Commissioner dated January 4, read, "As per the proposal received from the Dewas district collector office, an order was issued by Anand Malviya on January 3, 2026, in connection with information related to a protest (dharna). The said order was issued without proper examination and contained incorrect data on an extremely sensitive and serious matter, which reflects serious negligence, indifference, and irregularity in the discharge of official duties."
While SDM Malviya's order that included Vijayvargiya's controversial remark and Congress allegations, stated, "14 people have died and 2800 are undergoing treatment after drinking contaminated tap water supplied by the BJP-ruled municipal corporation in Indore. State Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's inappropriate remark "Ghanta" in response to a journalist's question on this sensitive issue is a sign of inhumanity and authoritarianism."
The SDM's order further stated that on the instruction of State Congress President Jitu Patwari, party workers would hold a protest be held by ringing bells in front of the residences of BJP MPs and MLAs. Therefore, to maintain law and order, Tehsildars and Executive Magistrates, Revenue Inspectors/Patwaris were assigned on duty.
Later on, when the order copy came to the notice of senior officials, the Dewas Collector sent a proposal to the Divisional Commissioner, Ujjain on January 4 and acting on it, Commissioner Ashish Singh issued a suspension order on the same day. (ANI)