IAS officer Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda at the Centre of ₹51 crore mining fine row, denies allegations
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A major controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s administrative circles involving IAS officer Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, who is accused of drastically reducing a ₹51 crore illegal mining fine to merely ₹4,032 during his tenure as Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Harda district. The allegations have led to intense public debate, with demands for greater transparency and accountability within the bureaucracy.
The issue came to light following a complaint by RTI activist Anand Jat, who accused Dr. Gowda of favouring a private company, Path India Limited, in a case linked to alleged illegal mining activities connected to the Indore–Betul National Highway project.
The controversy: From ₹51 crore to ₹4,032
According to official records and media reports, Path India Company was working on the Indore–Betul National Highway when it allegedly excavated 3.11 lakh cubic meters of murram soil in Andherikheda village, Harda district, without obtaining the necessary permissions. The then ADM, Praveen Phulpagare, had issued a notice imposing a penalty of ₹51.67 crore against the company for unauthorized extraction.
However, following Phulpagare’s transfer, Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda assumed charge as ADM. The case came up for review during his tenure, and in the final order, the fine amount was reduced to just ₹4,032, reportedly on the grounds that the previous estimates were unsupported by verifiable documentation.
Dr. Gowda’s decision has now become the focal point of public and media scrutiny, with critics questioning how a fine amounting to crores could be reduced to a few thousand rupees in an official proceeding.
RTI activist’s allegations: “A clear case of favouritism”
RTI activist Anand Jat, who brought the matter to light, claims that the fine reduction indicates possible favouritism or compromise between the administration and the company. He alleges that while official records claim the absence of photographic or video evidence of mining, local villagers reportedly possess visual proof of large-scale excavation.
In multiple statements, Jat has accused Dr. Gowda of “manipulating the case records” and “settling the issue through a backdoor deal.” He demanded an independent inquiry, arguing that the fine reduction has caused a significant loss to the exchequer and undermined public confidence in administrative fairness.
“Reducing a fine of ₹51 crore to ₹4,000 cannot be justified on any administrative ground. The documents clearly point to a cover-up,” Jat stated.
Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda’s response: ‘All actions were legal and evidence-based’
Facing mounting criticism, Dr. Gowda issued a formal clarification, categorically denying all allegations of corruption or bias.
According to his statement, the previous ADM had only issued a notice, not a finalized penalty, and the final adjudication was completed during his tenure after considering all available evidence.
“The ₹51 crore amount was not a finalized fine but a proposed figure in the initial notice. The subsequent inquiry found no substantial evidence to support the claims of large-scale illegal mining. The Tehsildar’s panchnama lacked verification, and the documentation was weak. Therefore, based on the available material and due legal procedure, the fine was calculated at ₹4,032,” Dr. Gowda said.
He further clarified that no appeal or objection was filed against his decision in the following two years, which, in his view, validates the legality and procedural soundness of his order.
“The decision was made on record, following due process, and in compliance with the legal framework. I am open to any review or inquiry. There was no wrongdoing on my part,” he added.
Who is IAS Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda?
Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, born on May 9, 1992, in Mandya district, Karnataka, is a doctor-turned-civil servant who secured All India Rank 418 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018. A medical graduate from the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, he worked as a resident doctor before cracking the country’s toughest exam while continuing his medical practice.
Initially allotted to the Manipur cadre, Dr. Gowda was later transferred to the Madhya Pradesh cadre upon marriage to his batchmate IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh, who ranked fifth among women in the same batch.
Both officers have a strong following among UPSC aspirants and are often regarded as “celebrity IAS officers” due to their online presence, motivational talks, and co-authored book on ethics.
Currently, Dr. Gowda serves as the CEO of the Khandwa District Panchayat, while his wife, Srushti Deshmukh, is the CEO of Burhanpur District Panchayat.
The revelation has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many users questioning how such a dramatic reduction could occur without higher administrative oversight. Memes, posts, and hashtags targeting the officer and the Madhya Pradesh administration have flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Despite the growing controversy, the Madhya Pradesh government has not yet announced any formal inquiry or review into the case. However, senior bureaucrats, speaking on condition of anonymity, have suggested that the matter may soon attract the attention of the State Vigilance Department or Lokayukta, given the magnitude of the alleged discrepancy.
Civil society groups and RTI activists have also written to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, demanding that the decision be revisited to ensure transparency and prevent what they describe as “erosion of public trust in governance.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
