A major controversy has emerged in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district after four persons were arrested for allegedly extorting money from garnet businessmen operating in the Kotdi area, with the role of probationer IPS officer Madhav Upadhyay now coming under official scrutiny. Following the arrests and subsequent interrogation of the accused, Bhilwara police initiated an inquiry into allegations linked to the young officer, while the Police Headquarters placed him under APO (Awaiting Posting Orders) citing administrative reasons.
The development has triggered political attention as allegations and counter-allegations surfaced involving local political figures, police action against illegal garnet mining, and the use of informers in enforcement operations.
Police Headquarters Places Madhav Upadhyay Under APO
According to official orders issued on Monday, probationer 2022-batch IPS officer Madhav Upadhyay, who was posted in Bhilwara district, has been placed under APO until further orders.
Under APO status, the officer has been directed to report to the Police Headquarters pending further administrative instructions.
The order came a day after Kotdi police arrested four men accused of illegally collecting money from garnet businessmen in exchange for allowing uninterrupted operations.
Officials have clarified that the APO order has been issued on administrative grounds, but it coincides with an ongoing inquiry into allegations that surfaced during interrogation of the accused.
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How the Extortion Case Came to Light
According to Kotdi police station in-charge Mahaveer Prasad Meena, the case surfaced on April 4 after constable Arjun Ram submitted a report stating that certain individuals were intimidating garnet entrepreneurs in police beat areas and demanding ₹30,000 per machine.
A formal case was registered, and police began an investigation into the extortion racket.
During the investigation, four accused were arrested:
- Ajay Panchal
- Nand Singh
- Narayan Gurjar
- Kalu Gurjar
Police said the accused allegedly approached garnet businessmen and told them they could continue operating without police interference if they paid money regularly.
Suspicion Around IPS Officer Emerged During Interrogation
During interrogation, statements made by the arrested accused reportedly raised suspicion regarding the possible role of probationer IPS officer Madhav Upadhyay.
Following this, Bhilwara Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh Yadav ordered a departmental inquiry to examine whether any direct or indirect involvement existed.
SP Dharmendra Singh stated that while allegations had surfaced, only the investigation would establish whether the officer’s role was suspicious or whether his name had been unnecessarily dragged into the matter.
He confirmed that the inquiry is currently underway.
BJP MLA’s Name Also Surfaces, Political Angle Intensifies
One of the arrested accused, Ajay Panchal, was reported to be close to Jahazpur BJP MLA Gopichand Meena.
Responding to these reports, the MLA acknowledged that Panchal had worked as a party worker during Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections but denied any involvement in the extortion case.
However, the MLA simultaneously made serious allegations against Madhav Upadhyay.
He claimed that BJP workers from his constituency had complained that the officer and his team were allegedly extorting money in the name of taking action against illegal garnet operations.
According to the MLA, he had raised these complaints with SP Dharmendra Singh, after which police action began.
This statement added a political dimension to what initially appeared to be a local extortion investigation.
Madhav Upadhyay Denies Allegations, Calls Them Baseless
IPS officer Madhav Upadhyay has firmly denied all allegations.
He said the claims made by the arrested individuals were baseless and maintained that Ajay Panchal was only acting as an informer who regularly provided information regarding illegal garnet activities.
According to Upadhyay, any police action taken in the area was based strictly on inputs received through such informers.
He further stated that since his posting in Bhilwara district, he had conducted the maximum number of actions against illegal garnet operations in Kotdi area.
The officer asserted that he had no role in extortion and that the allegations were an attempt to weaken enforcement efforts against illegal trade.
Investigation Focused on Illegal Garnet Operations Network
Bhilwara district has long faced issues linked to illegal garnet extraction and trading, especially in the Kotdi belt.
Police sources indicate that illegal operators often seek local protection and attempt to influence enforcement teams.
The present investigation is expected to examine:
- Whether extortion was carried out independently by the arrested accused
- Whether names of officials were misused
- Whether any police personnel had operational links with the accused
- Whether illegal garnet traders were paying protection money regularly
SP Dharmendra Singh said all aspects are being investigated carefully.
Who Is IPS Madhav Upadhyay?
Young UPSC Officer from Rajasthan with AIR 148
Madhav Upadhyay belongs to the 2022 batch of the Indian Police Service and secured All India Rank 148 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He is originally from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, and has often been highlighted as a young officer with strong academic credentials.
Early Life and Education
Madhav Upadhyay was born and raised in Bharatpur.
He completed his early schooling in a private school in Bharatpur while living with his maternal grandfather.
He later pursued engineering and graduated in Electrical Engineering from Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur in 2020.
His father, Balkrishna Sharma, works as an announcer with All India Radio.
UPSC Journey: Cleared Exam in Third Attempt
Madhav Upadhyay cleared UPSC Civil Services Examination in his third attempt.
Despite coming from an engineering background, he selected Geology as his optional subject.
He reportedly developed interest in geology after participating in a related project during his third year of engineering.
His UPSC journey has often been cited by aspirants because of his unconventional optional subject choice and persistence over multiple attempts.
Training and Professional Exposure
As part of IPS probationary training, he has undergone exposure with elite policing units including specialized anti-insurgency formations such as the Greyhounds.
His early field postings brought him into operational policing environments involving illegal mining and enforcement activity.
Personal Interests Beyond Policing
Outside service, Madhav Upadhyay is known for strong interest in birding and wildlife observation.
He is considered an avid birder and has described birding as a disciplined observation activity focused on migration and avian behavior.
He has also participated in mentorship interactions with UPSC aspirants, where he discussed:
- Essay writing strategy
- Prelims preparation
- Optional subject selection
- Attempt management
Investigation Outcome Will Determine Next Administrative Action
At present, no formal wrongdoing has been established against Madhav Upadhyay.
The inquiry ordered by Bhilwara police will determine whether his name emerged due to actual operational links, misuse by accused persons, or conflict arising from anti-illegal mining action.
Until then, his APO status remains an interim administrative measure.
The case is being closely watched because it involves a young probationer IPS officer whose early career now faces serious scrutiny.
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