Madhya Pradesh IAS Officer Faces Disciplinary Action Over Controversial Remarks About Brahmin Community

Following widespread indignation, Santosh Verma offered an apology and claimed his statements were being misrepresented.

The government of Madhya Pradesh has issued a show-cause notice to Senior IAS officer Santosh Verma, who serves as the State President of AJAKS, an association representing employees from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories in Madhya Pradesh. The notice addresses his controversial remarks about Brahmin daughters, which officials have classified as a serious violation of service conduct regulations.

The General Administration Department delivered the notice late Wednesday night, stating that Verma's comments at the AJAKS State Convention in Bhopal on November 23, 2025, were "inconsistent with the dignity and conduct expected of officers of the Indian Administrative Service." Government authorities characterized his behavior as indiscipline, arbitrary action, and grave misconduct.

According to the notification, Verma violated provisions within the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1967, making him subject to disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. He has received a seven-day deadline to explain why action should not be taken against him, with the government warning that non-response will result in unilateral action.

During the AJAKS convention where Verma was elected provincial president, he reportedly stated, "Reservation should be given to only one person in a family until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or has a relationship with her."

After video footage of this statement became viral, protests intensified throughout the state.

The Mantralay Officers-Employees Union, under president Sudhir Nayak's leadership, presented a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, calling for strict measures against the IAS officer.

Senior BJP leader and former minister Gopal Bhargava responded forcefully, describing Verma as "characterless" and accusing him of damaging the government's reputation. Bhargava indicated he would meet with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to demand revocation of Verma's IAS appointment. He added, "He is mentally ill. How can someone who forged a judge's signature become an IAS officer? This is a conspiracy against the country's unity."

From the opposition side, Congress MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare stated he has demanded an FIR against Verma. "He should be sent to jail and expelled immediately. Such individuals are attempting to divide society and pull the country into dangerous politics."

Amid escalating outrage, Santosh Verma apologized and claimed his remarks were being distorted. "My speech lasted 27 minutes. A 2-second clip is being circulated selectively," he told media representatives.

This incident has renewed scrutiny of the 2012 batch IAS officer's controversial history. Currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Agriculture Department, Verma previously worked as an officer in the Madhya Pradesh State Administrative Service.

He attracted media attention earlier for allegedly forging court orders and falsifying a judge's signature to wrongfully claim relief in cases filed against him. He was arrested in Indore after a judge complained that Verma had forged two court documents related to a case involving alleged criminal intimidation of a woman.

Verma has also faced accusations in two exploitation cases, where women alleged he promised marriage and subsequently threatened or deceived them.