MP Deputy CM Devda sacks OSD Raichura over ₹1 crore liquor contract bribe claims
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Jagdish Devda's own OSD has been removed and a departmental probe ordered after an arrestee in a ₹1,000 crore fraud allegedly named the officer and claimed ₹1 crore was paid to his aide over liquor contracts — with the Congress demanding Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally take a stand.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Jagdish Devda removed OSD Deepam Raichura with immediate effect on 9 October 2026 .
A departmental inquiry has been ordered into bribery allegations linked to 2024-25 liquor shop contracts in Bhopal .
Arrested accused Mohit Gogia allegedly claimed ₹1 crore was paid to an aide of Raichura in connection with liquor contracts.
The allegations emerged from a probe into an alleged fraud of around ₹1,000 crore .
Devda clarified Raichura was serving as an Assistant Excise Officer — not his OSD — when the alleged irregularities occurred.
Congress leader Vivek Tankha has demanded a clear response from the BJP and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav .
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda on Friday, 9 October 2026, removed his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Deepam Raichura from the post and ordered a departmental inquiry into bribery allegations tied to liquor shop contracts in the state. The action came hours after the Indian National Congress (Congress) publicly demanded accountability from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the controversy.
What Triggered the Removal
The allegations against Raichura surfaced during an investigation into an alleged fraud of around ₹1,000 crore. Investigative agencies arrested Mohit Gogia, who reportedly named Raichura during questioning and claimed that ₹1 crore had been paid to an aide of the officer in connection with liquor shop contracts.
The case centres on the 2024-25 liquor contracts in Bhopal. Devda clarified that during that period Raichura was posted as an Assistant Excise Officer in Bhopal and was not serving as his OSD at the time the alleged irregularities occurred.
What the Deputy CM Said
'Today, through news reports, the matter regarding irregularities in liquor contracts for the year 2024-25 came to my notice. During that period, Deepam Raichura was posted as an Assistant Excise Officer in Bhopal; he was not serving as my OSD at that time,' Devda stated.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he immediately directed the concerned department to launch an inquiry after the matter was brought to his attention. Raichura was relieved of his OSD responsibilities with immediate effect to ensure an impartial investigation, he added.
Congress Demands Accountability
The allegations have ignited a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh, with the Congress pressing the state government for answers. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha described the statements gathered by investigative agencies as extremely serious.
'The statements gathered by investigative agencies regarding Deputy Chief Minister Devda are extremely serious. The BJP and the Chief Minister must — and will have to — take a clear stand on this matter. The Madhya Pradesh government is under scrutiny over these allegations,' Tankha said.
The Congress has demanded an impartial investigation and has called on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to personally respond to the charges.
Broader Context
This is not the first time Madhya Pradesh's excise administration has come under scrutiny. Liquor contract irregularities have periodically triggered political rows in the state, and the scale of the alleged ₹1,000 crore fraud — if verified — would mark one of the more significant excise-linked controversies in recent years. The departmental inquiry ordered by Devda will now be watched closely for its independence and timeline.
With a formal inquiry under way and the Congress pressing for a political response from Chief Minister Yadav, the episode is likely to remain a flashpoint in Madhya Pradesh's political landscape in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But it does not resolve the core question: how did an officer under scrutiny in a ₹1,000 crore fraud probe come to be appointed as an OSD to a Deputy CM in the first place? The clarification that Raichura held a different post during the alleged irregularities is relevant, but it does not address the vetting process. A departmental inquiry, by design, reports within the government — the Congress demand for an independent probe reflects justified concern about its credibility. If the ₹1,000 crore fraud allegation is substantiated, the excise angle will widen well beyond a single officer.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Deepam Raichura removed as OSD to MP Deputy CM Jagdish Devda?
Raichura was removed with immediate effect on 9 October 2026 after bribery allegations surfaced linking him to liquor shop contracts in Bhopal. Arrested accused Mohit Gogia reportedly claimed ₹1 crore was paid to an aide of Raichura in connection with the 2024-25 liquor contracts, prompting Deputy CM Devda to order his removal and a departmental inquiry.
What is the ₹1,000 crore fraud case linked to these allegations?
Investigative agencies are probing an alleged fraud of around ₹1,000 crore, during which accused Mohit Gogia was arrested. Gogia reportedly named Raichura during questioning, alleging payments were made in connection with liquor shop contracts — bringing the excise irregularities into the broader fraud investigation.
What did Deputy CM Devda say in his defence?
Devda clarified that the alleged irregularities pertained to the 2024-25 liquor contracts, when Raichura was posted as an Assistant Excise Officer in Bhopal and was not serving as his OSD. He said he ordered the inquiry immediately after learning of the matter through news reports.
What has the Congress demanded in this case?
The Congress has demanded an impartial investigation and a clear public response from the BJP and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha said the statements gathered by investigative agencies were 'extremely serious' and required political accountability.
What happens next in the Madhya Pradesh liquor contract case?
A departmental inquiry ordered by Deputy CM Devda is now under way. The Congress has called for an independent probe, questioning the impartiality of an internal inquiry. Political pressure on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to respond is expected to intensify as the investigation progresses.
