Demand for FIR against Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, what is the whole matter?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Four months have passed since the demolition of the homes of more than 50 tribal families for displacement in the Khivni Sanctuary of Ichhawar and Sehore districts on June 23rd, but the matter remains mired in controversy. Now, a complaint has been filed seeking an FIR against Union Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in this matter.

The complaint alleges that Shivraj Singh Chouhan incited tribal people in his Budhni assembly constituency to encroach on forest land. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests' office has ordered an investigation into the matter.

Complaint sent to CM Mohan Yadav

According to reports, Azad Singh Dabas, president of the System Change Campaign and a former IFS officer, sent a written complaint to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on July 4, 2025. A copy of the complaint was also sent to Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, ACS Ashok Varnwal, and then-PCCF Aseem Srivastava.

The complaint stated that on June 23, after the illegal encroachments in the Khivni sanctuary were removed, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with tribals, had reached the Chief Minister's residence, following which the then Sehore DFO, Magan Singh Dabar, was removed. Since then, all work related to the sanctuary has come to a standstill.

DFO sent the investigation back

The PCCF office sent a letter to the CCF office on July 18, 2025, requesting an investigation report within 15 days. Following this, the CCF office directed the Sehore DFO to conduct an investigation on July 24. The DFO assigned this responsibility to Sukriti Oswal, SDFO (Deputy Forest Divisional Officer), Budhni.

The SDFO noted in his report that a case involving a Union Minister could only be investigated at the senior officer level. The report was sent back to the DFO's office, after which DFO Archana Patel also acknowledged that only higher officials could conduct the investigation. Therefore, the report was not sent to the CCF's office.

Senior officers can investigate

According to Archana Patel, DFO, Sehore,

Only senior officers can investigate a complaint against a Union Minister. We are not competent to do so. A report from the SDFO stated the same thing. Therefore, it was not sent to the CCF office.

What is the whole matter?

A few days after the June 23, 2025, action, Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrived in Khivni Khurd and met with the families of the victims. He stayed at the home of an Adivasi family for about 15 minutes, ate a meal, and addressed the villagers under a raincoat, saying, "I have come to share your pain. Some officials have committed inhumane acts and will be punished. The government stands with the Adivasis and the poor; injustice will not be tolerated."

Shivraj assured that leases would be issued to the old occupants and financial assistance would be provided to all 50 families from the Member of Parliament's Voluntary Grant. He also instructed officials to provide tin sheds, rations, and other supplies, and to expedite the road construction.

Photos and videos of this action, which took place on June 23rd during heavy rains, went viral on social media. The department was subsequently criticized, and protests were held in Khategaon on June 27th and 29th. On the Chief Minister's instructions, Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah also visited Khivni on June 28th. He walked through the muddy roads and distributed relief supplies and financial assistance to the affected families.

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