Dalit IAS officer alleges malicious action by MP Lokayukta

A Dalit IAS officer today alleged that the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta had registered cases against him with the "ill-intention" of harassing him, and threatened to end his life by going on a fast if the government acted against him.
"The Lokayukta has registered cases against me with an ill-intention and if the government acts against me in the matter, then I will end my life by giving up food and water," said Ramesh Thete, the officer, addressing a meeting of Dalit-Adivasi Forum, Madhya Pradesh.
"Just because I am a Dalit, I have been targeted since 2002. In the last ten years, I have faced ten cases and in nine of these cases I was given a clean chit," Thete said.

Lokayukta has registered a case against him suo-motu concerning a matter when he was an Additional Commissioner at Ujjain.
"It was alleged that I have freed the land of farmers from Ceiling Act, causing a huge loss to the government. In similar matters against higher-caste officials, no cases were registered by the ombudsman despite the fact they also acted in the same fashion," he claimed.
Lokayukta had given clean chit to several dishonest officials and Ministers while he was being targeted because he is a Dalit, he said.

Lokayukta officials could not be contacted for comments.
Convener of the Forum, Dr Mohanlal Patil said, "BJP, which considers itself champion of Hindus, is not behaving in a just manner with Dalits and tribals because of which a Dalit IAS officer in Rajasthan (Umrao Salodia) embraced Islam."

Shashi Karnwat, a woman Dalit IAS officer who is under suspension in a case, was also present on the occasion.