Daijiworld Media Network - Bhind

Bhind, Jul 13: A video showing Bhind district magistrate (DM) Sanjeev Srivastava slapping a college student multiple times during an exam has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. The incident, which occurred on April 1 at Deendayal Dangraulia Mahavidyalaya, surfaced more than three months later.

The video shows Srivastava dragging BSc second-year student Rohit Rathore from his seat during a mathematics exam, holding a paper in his hand and slapping him repeatedly. A second clip shows the DM escorting the student to a staff room, handing over the paper to another individual and slapping Rathore again while questioning him.

Rathore later told media that the slaps affected his ears but he remained silent out of fear. “Because he is an IAS officer, I couldn’t say anything,” he said.

Srivastava defended his actions, claiming he was investigating organised cheating. “I had received complaints that students smuggled question papers outside, solved them, and brought them back. I have recommended the college not be used as an exam centre again,” he told.

The college is reportedly owned by Narayan Dangraulia, father-in-law of Congress MLA and deputy leader of opposition in MP, Hemant Katare.

This is not the first time Srivastava has faced criticism. Recently, the Gwalior bench of the MP High Court censured him during a PWD-related hearing. “The chief secretary should decide whether such an officer should remain in the field,” the court remarked.

Adding to his troubles, Tehsildar Mala Sharma, posted in Bhind, accused Srivastava and SDM Parag Jain of mental harassment. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, she wrote, “If anything happens to me due to this torture, the responsibility will lie with Collector Sanjeev Srivastava and Gohad SDM Parag Jain.”