This Madhya Pradesh Cop Drew Rs 28 Lakh Over 12 Years Without Reporting For Duty. Here's How

News18

08-07-2025

Last Updated:
The discrepancy came to light during a routine review of the 2011 police batch in 2023, when it was discovered that there was no record of the constable's attendance or deployment
In a shocking case of bureaucratic failure, a police constable in Madhya Pradesh allegedly drew over Rs 28 lakh in salary across 12 years without attending a single day of training or duty. The case, first reported by NDTV, highlights glaring loopholes in the state's payroll monitoring system and has triggered an official probe.
According to India Today, the constable, Abhishek Upadhyay, was appointed in 2011 and posted to the Bhopal police lines. He was supposed to undergo mandatory training in Sagar, but never reported there. Instead, he returned to his hometown in Vidisha and, despite never completing training or reporting for active duty, remained on the government's payroll.
The Economic Times reported that Upadhyay continued to receive salary uninterrupted for over a decade. The discrepancy only came to light during a routine review of the 2011 police batch in 2023, when it was discovered that there was no record of his attendance or deployment.
When questioned, Upadhyay claimed he suffered from chronic health issues, including migraine and psychological stress, worsened by a road accident. NDTV cited officials who said the constable submitted documents related to his mental health, but failed to follow proper leave protocols. He reportedly sent his paperwork via speed post, avoiding any direct departmental interaction.
A police inquiry led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ankita Khaterkar is now underway to determine how Upadhyay's name remained active in the payroll system for so long. Disciplinary action may be taken not only against the constable but also against the officials who failed to flag the prolonged absence.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the larger issue of ghost employees in Madhya Pradesh. According to NDTV, a recent investigation found nearly 50,000 government staffers had not withdrawn salaries since December 2024 but still remained in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). While the state treasury department claimed these anomalies were addressed in a short audit, critics argue that such large-scale data mismatches point to deep systemic flaws.
As the investigation progresses, questions remain: How many more such cases have gone unnoticed, and how long will the system allow invisible employees to draw very real salaries?
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