JHUNJHUNU, RAJASTHAN: The Chirawa Panchayat Samiti in Jhunjhunu district is once again in the news, this time for a serious corruption scandal. Allegations of power misuse and illegal allotment of new shops have led to a formal First Information Report (FIR) being registered, but not without significant delay. The case has shone a light on a long history of alleged irregularities within the local governing body, which continues to be a hot topic among residents and the media.
The community is now hoping for a fair and thorough investigation to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the Panchayat Samiti’s operations.
The Shop Allotment Scam Uncovered
At the heart of the current controversy are the newly built shops on Court Road. The complaint claims these properties were not allotted to the public through a fair process. Instead, they were allegedly handed over to the family members and relatives of former officials and committee members.
The complaint outlines a well-oiled system where key officials allegedly used their positions to favour their own kin. The accused include the Village Development Officer (VDO), the Accountant, the Assistant Engineer (IEN), and several members of the allotment committee.
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- The VDO and IEN are accused of allotting shops to their in-laws and other relatives.
- Accountant Mahesh Dal allegedly secured a shop for his son.
- Committee member Om Ji Kothari reportedly allotted a shop to his son, Mahesh.
- In a particularly shocking allegation, Mahendra Ji Sharma (CA)‘s family—including his wife, father, mother, and daughter—supposedly received a total of five shops.
These properties were leased for an unusually long term of 80 to 99 years, with an incredibly low monthly rent of just ₹1300. This amount is a far cry from the market rate of ₹7000 to ₹8000 per month for similar shops in the area. This blatant under-charging has resulted in a staggering loss of ₹6000 per shop per month to the government, amounting to ₹72,000 annually per shop—a massive cumulative loss over the 99-year lease period.
The complainant, Devendra Ji, initially tried to obtain a shop for his business. After repeated attempts and getting the runaround from the Panchayat Samiti, he was shocked to discover that the shops were already occupied. He then used the Right to Information (RTI) Act to get to the bottom of it, which ultimately exposed the alleged corruption.
The Former Pradhan’s Role Under Scrutiny
Former Pradhan of the Chirawa Panchayat Samiti, Indira Doodi, is a central figure in these allegations. As the “office head,” she held the authority to approve all major decisions, making her a key person of interest.
The complaint against her includes several serious accusations:
- Cash for a Shop: It is alleged that Indira Doodi did not take a shop for herself but instead demanded cash in lieu of it. She reportedly said, “My son is a Collector, I don’t need a shop here.” This suggests she received a financial kickback while her colleagues distributed the properties among their relatives.
- Abuse of Influence: With her son being a Collector and her daughter-in-law an SP (Superintendent of Police), Indira Doodi is accused of using their high positions to influence local officials and deliberately delay the registration of the FIR. The court’s order to file the report was issued on August 4th, but it was only filed much later, on August 16th, just before a court hearing.
- Improper Employment: She is also accused of hiring her husband, Shri Ram Doodi, as a driver for the Panchayat Samiti, which is considered a conflict of interest for someone in a public office.
Chirawa Panchayat Samiti corruption The current Pradhan, Rohtash Dhangad, has confirmed that multiple investigations have found corruption in the shop allotments. He stated that a state government committee’s findings led to the suspension of the VDO and IEN involved in the case.
The Long Road to Justice
Devendra Ji’s long and arduous fight for justice finally led to the FIR being registered. The court’s persistent demand for a progress report was instrumental in getting the police to act. The police finally filed the FIR on August 16th, just a day before a crucial court hearing, suggesting it was done under intense pressure.
The investigation is now in the hands of the Deputy Superintendent of Police. The people of Chirawa hope this probe will bring the full truth to light and hold all those who misused their power accountable for their actions.
Past Allegations and Current Leadership’s Response
Corruption allegations against the Chirawa Panchayat Samiti are nothing new, dating back as far as 2008. Current Pradhan Rohtash Dhangad has been vocal about his own efforts to stop the rot. He has strongly denied any personal involvement in corruption, challenging anyone to prove he took a single rupee in bribes.
He also clarified a past incident involving a contractor named Rajkumar, whose audio recording had made accusations. Dhangad called the recording fake and accused Indira Doodi of spreading false rumors out of frustration after losing her position.
Rohtash Dhangad emphasized that he took decisive action just four days after assuming office by cancelling the Panchayat Samiti agency. This move redirected all funds directly to the gram panchayats, cutting out the middleman and eliminating a major source of corruption.
A Tale of Two Realities: Social Initiatives Amidst Scams
Amidst the serious corruption allegations, there’s another side to the story. On Prime Minister Modi’s birthday, Pradhan Rohtash Dhangad highlighted positive community efforts. He and other members organized relief efforts, including:
- Collecting ₹361,000 for flood victims in Punjab, which was donated via a draft to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
- Providing food to children from slum areas and orphanages and announcing plans to donate laptops to them.
These initiatives stand in stark contrast to the corruption claims, showcasing a different kind of public service.
