BJP leader accuses C’garh CM’s PA of trying to bribe him in case against Ajit Jogi
Sant Kumar Netam, former member of BJP’s schedule tribe Morcha, claimed that OP Gupta, personal assistant to the CM Raman Singh, offered him Rs 1 lakh to withdraw a case against Jogi.
A Chhattisgarh BJP leader has accused an official in Chief Minister Raman Singh’s office of offering him bribe to withdraw a case challenging the tribal status of former Congress leader Ajit Jogi.
Netam has filed a writ petition in Chhattisgarh high court challenging tribal status of Jogi, who in 2016 left the Congress to form Chhattisgarh Janata Congress party. (HT Photo)
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Sant Kumar Netam, former member of BJP’s schedule tribe Morcha, claimed that OP Gupta, personal assistant to the CM, called him to his official residence on July 5 and asked him to withdraw the case filed in Chhattisgarh high court.
“He offered me Rs 1 lakh before I was to meet the CM,” Netam told reporters on Saturday.
Netam left the CM’s residence after he was offered money by the PA and refused to meet the CM.
Gupta denied the allegation, saying “nothing of this sort happened”, but admitted that Netam was called.
Netam has filed a writ petition in Chhattisgarh high court challenging tribal status of Jogi, who in 2016 left the Congress to form Chhattisgarh Janata Congress party.
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Congress spokesperson, RP Singh said, “Congress is saying this since last few years that the CM has close links with Jogi and this is again proved by the allegations of Netam.”
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Congress spokesperson, RP Singh said, “Congress is saying this since last few years that the CM has close links with Jogi and this is again proved by the allegations of Netam.”
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Congress and Netam have demanded an impartial inquiry.
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting.
His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.
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