Revenue officer suspended for riding on back of elderly man to keep shoes from getting wet

BHOPAL: A revenue officer has been suspended for riding on the back of a 65-year-old man in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district. Patwari Nilesh Namdev seen riding on the back of an elderly man to cross a waterfilled drain, has been suspended following an inquiry.

The incident happened when the official came for a field survey within the limits of Mata Gram Panchayat. The incident came to light after a 45-second video went viral on social media. The official crossed the drain by riding on the back of an elderly man identified as Lalwa Kevat.

Namdev had reached Mata village as part of an assessment of the damage caused by the attacks of wild animals. He had to inspect Kevat’s house and agricultural land, which are located on the other side of a small stream. According to reports, when they reached the water-filled area, the official tried to avoid his shoes getting wet. It is also reported that he told the elderly man that he could conduct the inspection only if he was taken to the other side. Following this, the elderly man was forced to carry the official back on his shoulders. One of the local residents who witnessed the incident recorded the visuals on his mobile phone.

After the video went viral, an inquiry was conducted, following which Sub-Divisional Magistrate Priya Pathak suspended the official. Local residents also stepped forward protesting against his act. The residents said that the official’s action was unacceptable.