Counter FIRs after BJP MLA & nayab tehsildar trade allegations in Surguja

Raipur: A confrontation between a BJP MLA and a revenue officer inside a sub-tehsil office in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district escalated into cross FIRs on Wednesday after a nayab tehsildar accused Ramkumar Toppo and his supporters of assaulting him during a dispute over a land-related document, while the legislator’s cousin lodged a counter-complaint alleging misbehaviour, abuse and casteist remarks by the officer.

Police registered FIRs on complaints from both sides following the clash at Rajapur sub-tehsil office in Mainpat area in Sitapur.

Rajapur nayab tehsildar Tushar Manik alleged that the dispute began over a solvency certificate linked to parole-related formalities for prisoners. According to him, an elderly woman had visited his office earlier in the day with incomplete documents, following which he asked her to complete the formality before the certificate could be processed.

Later, another woman — identified as Seema Dhanki, cousin sister of MLA Ramkumar Toppo — allegedly arrived at the office and insisted that he immediately sign the documents.

“My staff was absent and I told her the process would be completed properly the next day. There was no misbehaviour,” Manik told reporters.

Dhanki, however, alleged that the officer behaved rudely, refused to process her work despite repeated visits and asked her to leave the office. She further accused the nayab tehsildar of pushing, abusing her and making caste-related remarks.

According to Manik, he later received a call from the MLA’s personal assistant asking him to meet the legislator in Rajapur. He reached the spot along with Sitapur SDM Fagesh Sinha around evening.

“The MLA was standing there with 10 to 20 supporters. Some of them started assaulting me and tore my clothes. The MLA pulled me aside and also assaulted me. The SDM intervened and rescued me,” Manik alleged.

Visuals that surfaced later showed the revenue officer displaying his torn shirt while narrating the incident.

SDM Fagesh Sinha also confirmed that an altercation took place and said the officer was assaulted during the confrontation.

Based on Manik’s complaint, police registered an FIR against MLA Ramkumar Toppo and several supporters related to obstructing govt work, assault and unlawful conduct. Those named in the FIR include Yusuf, Nazim Raja and Pankaj Gupta among others.

A separate case was registered against nayab tehsildar Tushar Manik on the complaint filed by Dhanki.

Surguja collector Ajit Basant said both sides had lodged complaints and police would take action after investigation.

“The nayab tehsildar and SDM informed me about the assault allegations. We have sought reports from both sides. Police will proceed as per law,” the collector said.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh junior administrative service association condemned the alleged assault on the revenue officer and submitted a memorandum to the collector demanding strict action. The association warned of a collective strike if action was not taken.