Bhopal: An IAS officer posted as collector in Damoh reportedly launched an internal operation to flush out suspected moles inside his office after confidential discussions and plans for surprise inspections allegedly began reaching concerned departments within minutes.
Trap Operation Uncovers Suspicious Activity
Amid suspicion that the collector's chamber may have been bugged and sensitive information was being leaked from within the collectorate, collector Pratap Narayan Yadav carried out a trap operation that led to the suspension of a clerk, the removal of two other employees from the office and the sealing of telephones for technical examination, sources informed.
A Grade-3 assistant was suspended with immediate effect, while two other employees were relieved from the collectorate and sent back to their parent department, pending investigation into the suspected breach of confidentiality.
How the Leak Was Detected
According to officials, suspicion arose after the collector discussed plans for a surprise inspection of a department during a meeting attended only by a limited number of officers and staff inside his chamber. Minutes later, the concerned department allegedly contacted the collectorate in a manner that indicated prior knowledge of the proposed inspection.
The development raised fears that confidential discussions taking place inside the collector's chamber were being leaked in real time. To verify the suspicion, the collector is learnt to have conducted a test inside the office. He allegedly played a news broadcast on his mobile phone at high volume and left the phone inside the chamber before stepping out. When a telephone installed in an adjoining room was later picked up, the same audio could reportedly be heard through it, strengthening suspicions that conversations from inside the chamber were somehow being transmitted, said sources.
Employees Suspended and Removed
Following the incident, Grade-3 assistant Sachin Khare was suspended. Two other employees Ajay Kumar Asati, who had been posted in the collectorate for a long time, and office attendant Jaidev Ahirwar were removed from their duties and sent back to their parent department.
Administrative officials described the matter as a serious breach of office confidentiality. Sources said the collector suspected that sensitive information may have been shared for personal gain or to curry favour with officials in departments facing inspections or action.
Telephones Sealed for Examination
Both telephone sets installed in the collector's office have now been sealed and sent for technical examination. Authorities are also probing the possible methods used to leak or intercept conversations and whether more employees were involved. Collector could not be connected for his version.
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