"Will Hang Upside Down If...": Madhya Pradesh Minister's "Threat" To Officer Goes Viral

In audio clip of phone call, Ramkhelawan Patel allegedly tells officer not to take any action against traders in his constituency

A viral audio clip said to be of Madhya Pradesh minister Ramkhelawan Patel apparently threatening officials of the Food Department has sparked a row. "No case should be filed against any trader in Amarpatan constituency, or I will hang you upside down," Mr Patel allegedly says over the phone in the clip, referring to action against food adulteration in the area he represents in the assembly.

He tells the officer, in Hindi, not to visit certain areas at all for any action, as per the clip. NDTV could not independently verify the audio. The officer has so far refused to speak to the media to give further details.

This clip flies in the face of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who's been on a discipline drive lately. He has publicly pulled up government officials and even suspended some at a public rally. Yesterday, too, he suspended an officer in Sheopur for alleged dereliction of duty.

This is not the first time that Ramkhelawan Patel — Minister of State with independent charge of Backward Classes Welfare besides other departments — has landed the BJP and its government in such a situation.