Latest news with #RishavGupta
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
300 MW solar plant sealed in Khandwa by district administration
Indore: Khandwa district administration has sealed the 300-megawatt Masaya Solar Plant following an investigation that revealed its unauthorised establishment on tribal land and numerous other irregularities. The operation was carried out late Friday night by a special inquiry team constituted by Collector Rishav Gupta. The investigation was launched after a complaint was filed with the Indore Divisional Commissioner. The probe uncovered that the solar plant was set up on lands of tribal farmers in Dharampuri, Kanwani, Bhavsinghpura, Badgaon Mali, and Sivna, villages without adhering to due legal procedures. "The company commenced production after establishing the plant on tribal farmers' land without obtaining proper legal permissions. This is completely improper and illegal," said Gupta. The investigation further revealed that in some instances, land belonging to Scheduled Caste individuals was acquired under duress. Moreover, land belonging to many Scheduled Tribe farmers was transferred without adequate compensation. Disturbingly, there were also allegations where farmers' illiteracy was exploited, and money was withdrawn from their bank accounts. According to the Collector, the company also managed to get land diverted for industrial use based solely on possession, even in cases where mutation in the land records (khasra) did not take place. This constitutes a direct violation of the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code . The Masaya Solar Energy Company was also found to have illegally occupied approximately 27.64 hectares (around 60 acres) of land, including that categorised as 'charanoi' (grazing land), 'nala' (drainage), roads, and small forest areas, taken over without any lease or proper acquisition. Collector Gupta has directed that the solar plant's operations would remain suspended until the lease or formal allocation process is duly completed. The machinery present at the plant has been sealed as part of the action. The investigation also brought to light allegations of collusion involving former and some administrative officials in facilitating these illegal activities. There are complaints accusing these officials of accepting bribes amounting to lakhs of rupees. "A high-level investigation will also be conducted against the officers under whose supervision these illegal encroachments occurred. Their assets will also be investigated," the Collector said. The plant's construction began in 2020, and electricity production reportedly commenced in 2022 without the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Around 35 tribal farmers from five villages in the region had their land acquired by the company, and their cases reached the revenue department. Notably, there were no protests against these acquisitions until now.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Diesel engine boats banned on Narmada river in Omkareshwar
Indore: In a bid to protect the Narmada river and its aquatic life, use and operation of diesel engine boats has been prohibited within Omkareshwar Nagar Panchayat limits of Khandwa district. The restrictive order, issued by Collector Rishav Gupta under the provisions of Section 163 of BNS, comes into effect from Friday. The decision came amid growing concern over severe water, air, and noise pollution caused by diesel engine boats, which also pose a threat to aquatic ecosystem. The decision to impose the ban was taken during a meeting of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA), which was also attended by public representatives. Now, only electric engine boats and paddle-powered boats will be permitted to ferry devotees on the Narmada river. Additionally, certain low-emission, low-noise petrol engines meeting specific or superior specifications will also be allowed. "Any individual found violating these orders will be liable for punishment under," Gupta said. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
MP gangrape-murder: No ambulance to take her to hosp, no hearse in death
Indore: Family members of the tribal woman, who died after being gang-raped and brutalised in MP's Khandwa district three days ago, say they couldn't get a vehicle to take her to hospital, nor a hearse when she died. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They say they contacted the local police outpost for help, but did not receive it in time. The woman's son said: "We brought her back home, and laid her down to rest. We gave her some water, but she began to struggle and gasp. We desperately tried to get her to a hospital but there was no transport. With the help of neighbours, we arranged for a tractor, but by then, she had died. We did not have any money." There is a community health centre nearby, but there were no nurses or doctors there, the family said. According to the family, when they asked police for help around 3.30pm, they were told that there was no ambulance available. It wasn't until 11:30pm that they managed to reach Khandwa by tractor after paying Rs 4,500. Khandwa collector Rishav Gupta responded to the allegations, saying, "While ambulances are typically arranged for patients, not deceased individuals, the administration would have taken some action if information was received on time. In this case, the delay in information reaching the authorities was significant. The woman's body was initially transported in a tractor-trolley provided by a neighbour and then brought to Khandwa in an SUV arranged by police. " Gupta said it was police who paid for the transportation, and that it was confirmed by the officials involved. "An impartial investigation is underway, and the administration is fully focused on ensuring that those responsible for the crime receive the strictest possible punishment," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There are two hearses in Khalwa and Harsood, but they too were not used. "Police received a call around 2:40pm, after which a team from the outpost went to the spot and helped them arrange a tractor. After that, the outpost in charge hired a Tavera, paying Rs 2,500, and transported the body," said SP Manoj Rai. Both the accused were produced in court and remanded in police custody for two more days as investigations continue. Rai visited the crime scene on Tuesday and spoke with the family members and neighbours of the victim. Police took them to the crime scene as well on Tuesday.
