INDORE: A significant controversy arose over the Indore Municipal Corporation’s (IMC) ward-wise property tax survey late Saturday evening, leading to a standoff at the Bhanwarkuan police station and multiple FIRs. The situation prompted political intervention, with cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya calling for an emergency meeting.
The conflict began in Ward 74, where IMC mobilized staff from 22 zones for a property tax assessment. On Saturday, an altercation occurred between area revenue officer (ARO) Shailendra Singh and local politician Sunil Hardia (the husband of a corporator) along with his son.
This led to a confrontation at the Bhanwarkuan police station. An FIR was filed by Hardia’s associate, Biram Solanki, against ARO Shailendra Singh. In response, another FIR was lodged by ARO Singh against Hardia, his son Atal, and Solanki for obstruction and assault. Late that night, a woman from Ward 74 also filed an FIR against IMC officials.
Following the first FIR, several BJP corporators, including MIC members Abhishek Sharma ‘Bablu’, Rajesh Udawat, Yogesh Gender, and Prashant Badve, arrived with supporters to surround the police station.
A viral video of MIC member Abhishek Sharma ‘Bablu’ on a phone call from the police station was shared by PCC chief Jitu Patwari on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, Bablu stated, “If the municipal commissioner insists on filing an FIR, if this is personal enmity, then I also have my stance. I was threatened and will file an FIR… If I am shot dead publicly, what will I do? I have two small children and won’t leave the police station.”
PCC chief Jitu Patwari leveraged the video to critique the ruling party: “Dilip Yadav, since you took office as municipal commissioner in Indore, BJP corporators have shown significant resistance! If this ‘Naraka Nigam’ [Hell Corporation], infamously linked to corruption, harasses citizens for ‘extortion,’ their protests are valid! Hear the concerns of the BJP corporators!”
Indore city Congress president and opposition leader Chintu Choukse denounced the BJP, claiming that the corporators were agitated because the survey impacted hostels associated with their families in Bhanwarkuan. “If BJP leaders feel unsafe in Indore, one can only imagine what ordinary citizens endure,” Choukse remarked.
To address the escalating situation, cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya held a private meeting on Sunday at Residency Kothi, with attendees including mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, city BJP president Sumit Mishra, police commissioner, collector, and municipal commissioner.
Responding to queries from the media on Sunday, the minister downplayed the incident: “We resolved the issue; it’s not a significant matter; such occurrences happen sometimes.”
Mayor Bhargav distanced himself from the survey’s implementation, asserting, “This campaign was not initiated at my direction… It’s inappropriate for the public to face chaos, with their properties assessed without prior notification.” He highlighted that while property valuation is the responsibility of the IMC, it should be conducted properly, stating he would not permit ‘anarchy’ during his tenure as mayor.
“This was an internal matter (IMC), and we have reconciled it while reaching a compromise among all parties,” Bhargav stated, noting that the revenue drive has been temporarily halted. “We will establish standard operating procedures and issue a public appeal, allowing citizens to request corrections in their property assessments,” he added.
