Politics · India Bureau
Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM removes OSD over alleged ₹1 crore liquor bribe
Jagdish Devda, who also holds the state excise portfolio, has removed his Officer on Special Duty Deepam Raichura following bribery allegations. Devda clarified that Raichura was not serving as his OSD at the time of the alleged incident.
LSN India ·
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda has ordered the removal of his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Deepam Raichura in connection with allegations of accepting a ₹1 crore liquor bribe. The action was initiated on Friday as the controversy surrounding the alleged misconduct intensified.
Devda, who concurrently serves as the state's excise minister, issued a statement clarifying the circumstances of the removal. He emphasized that Raichura was not functioning as his OSD at the time the bribe was allegedly accepted, seeking to distance his office from the charges.
The removal marks an effort by the deputy chief minister to address the corruption allegation swiftly. The decision underscores growing scrutiny of administrative conduct within the state government, particularly in departments dealing with excise and liquor licensing.
The excise department has been a focal point for anti-corruption efforts in several Indian states, given the high-value transactions involved in alcohol regulation and licensing. The allegation comes at a time when public attention on governance standards remains heightened across the country.