In a staggering case of departmental negligence and systemic failure, a police constable from Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district managed to draw a salary of Rs 28 lakh for 12 years without ever actively serving in the force.
The constable was recruited into the Madhya Pradesh Police in 2011 and initially posted to Bhopal Police Lines. Shortly after joining, he was sent for basic police training at the Sagar Police Training Centre, as was standard for his batch. But instead of reporting there, he quietly returned home to Vidisha, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ankita Khaterkar.
Rather than alerting his superiors or seeking leave, the constable sent his service record back to Bhopal Police Lines via speed post. The documents were received and accepted without any verification of his physical presence or training status, the ACP said.
No one at the training centre flagged his absence and no one at Bhopal Police Lines questioned it either.
As months passed and then years, the constable never reported for duty. Yet, his name remained active on the rolls and his monthly salary was credited without fail. Over time, he quietly amassed more than Rs 28 lakh without stepping into a police station or training ground.
It was only in 2023, when the department began pay grade evaluation for the 2011 batch, that the anomaly came to light. Officials couldn’t locate the constable and no one in the department recognised his name or face. During the internal inquiry, officials attempted to trace the constable’s past records and service returns, but found nothing.
It seemed implausible that someone could have been on duty for 12 years and not been assigned a single case or involved in any official work.
When the constable was finally summoned for questioning, he claimed he had been suffering from mental health issues, said ACP Khaterkar. He submitted documents to support his claim, stating that his condition had prevented him from attending duty all these years.
When senior officers were alerted to the case, the matter was handed over to ACP Khaterkar, who is posted in Bhopal’s TT Nagar area for an investigation.
“The constable in question joined the police force in 2011. Although, he was supposed to be sent for training along with the rest of his batch, he cited personal reasons and was allowed to go separately. While, the others completed their training and returned, the constable never reported. Since he went alone, there was no return record maintained for him,” ACP Khaterkar told India Today TV.
“Despite never completing his training or joining active duty, his name continued to be reflected in police records as a newly-appointed constable. He remained on the rolls and his salary was credited regularly every year. The issue came to light when, 12 years later, his records were reviewed as part of a time-bound pay grade evaluation,” she said.
In his defence, the constable argued he was unaware of the updated police rules at that time and claimed that lack of communication and his health issues kept him from complying.
So far, the constable has returned Rs 1.5 lakh to the department and agreed to repay the remaining amount through deductions from his future salary. He is currently posted at the Bhopal Police Lines and remains under watch, the ACP said.
Officials said that the inquiry was still ongoing and more testimonies will be recorded. Action will also be taken against any officers found to have been negligent in handling or supervising the matter, based on directions from senior police officials.
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