MP Govt Issues Notice to IAS Officer Santosh Verma Over Controversial Remark
Brahmin daughter remark triggers statewide protests; IAS officer asked to reply within seven days
GG News Bureau
Bhopal, 27th Nov: The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a show-cause notice to AJAKS State President and senior IAS officer Santosh Verma over his controversial statement involving Brahmin daughters, terming it a serious breach of service conduct.
The notice, served late Wednesday night by the General Administration Department, states that Verma’s remarks at the AJAKS State Convention held in Bhopal on November 23, 2025, were “inconsistent with the dignity and conduct expected of officers of the Indian Administrative Service.” His conduct was categorised as indiscipline, arbitrariness, and serious misconduct.
Citing violations of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1967, the government has asked Verma to respond within seven days, warning that failure to do so will result in unilateral disciplinary action under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
At the convention, where Verma was elected provincial president, he reportedly said, “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.” As the video of the statement went viral, protests erupted across several districts.
The Mantralay Officers-Employees Union, led by president Sudhir Nayak, submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla demanding strict disciplinary measures.
Senior BJP leader and former minister Gopal Bhargava condemned the statement, calling Verma “characterless” and alleging he had damaged the government’s reputation. Bhargava said he would meet the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary seeking cancellation of Verma’s IAS award. 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 unity of the country.”
From the Opposition, Congress MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare demanded an FIR against Verma, saying he should be jailed and removed from service. “Such people are trying to divide society and push the country into dangerous politics,” he said.
Amid the escalating backlash, Verma apologised and claimed his remarks were being misrepresented. “My speech was 27 minutes long. A 2-second clip is being circulated selectively,” he said.
The controversy has revived scrutiny of the 2012-batch IAS officer’s past. Currently posted as Deputy Secretary in the Agriculture Department, Verma previously served in the Madhya Pradesh State Administrative Service.
He had earlier faced allegations of forging court orders and faking a judge’s signature to claim relief in cases against him. He was arrested in Indore after a judge complained that Verma forged two court documents linked to a case involving alleged criminal intimidation of a woman.
Verma has also faced accusations in two separate exploitation cases, where women alleged he promised marriage before threatening or deceiving them.
