Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule conducted a surprise raid at the Khamla sub-registrar’s office in Nagpur on October 6, 2025, uncovering Rs 5,000 in an official’s desk drawer amid complaints of bribery during property registrations.
The cash was found during an unannounced inspection triggered by allegations that officials, aided by middlemen, were demanding Rs 8,000–10,000 from citizens despite the process being fully digitised.
A police investigation has been launched to determine the source of the money and assess accountability. Bawankule has urged citizens to report corruption and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency.
Hidden Cash and Alleged Bribery Network
The raid uncovered Rs 5,000, six Rs 500 notes and the rest in Rs 100 denominations, hidden in a locked drawer reportedly belonging to official Atul Kapley. Kapley claimed the money was personal, but the lack of CCTV footage at the office has complicated verification.
The complaints leading to the raid alleged that citizens were being forced to pay bribes through middlemen, who charged inflated fees for registrations that should be free of additional costs under the digital system. Bawankule ordered an immediate police probe to investigate the extent of malpractice and identify any systemic loopholes being exploited.
Digital Reforms Undermined by Graft
Despite Maharashtra’s transition to a fully digitised land registration system to eliminate corruption, the Nagpur incident reveals persistent gaps in implementation. The minister also flagged concerns about high-value property transactions above Rs 30 lakh not being reported to the income tax department, suggesting possible collusion.
Bawankule has made unannounced visits to government offices a regular practice since assuming office, aiming to deter misconduct and rebuild public trust. His actions in Nagpur are part of a broader strategy to enforce accountability across revenue departments.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While Rs 5,000 may seem minor, it symbolises a larger failure, where digital reforms are undermined by human greed. The absence of CCTV in a revenue office is unacceptable in 2025. True transparency requires not just raids, but systemic fixes: mandatory surveillance, whistleblower protection, and real-time grievance tracking.
