Madhya Pradesh: Morena Deputy Collector Arrested Following Sexual Assault Allegations

A senior civil servant faces criminal charges after a woman accused him of repeated sexual exploitation under the false promise of marriage.

The administrative machinery in Madhya Pradesh is reeling once again as Arvind Mahour, a deputy collector posted in the Morena district, was arrested late Wednesday night. The arrest follows a formal complaint filed by a 30-year-old woman at the Civil Lines police station, accusing the officer of systematic sexual assault and emotional manipulation spanning over a year.

According to police officials, the complainant alleged that the deputy collector engaged in non-consensual relations by leveraging a promise of marriage. The FIR, registered under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—which deals with sexual intercourse through deceitful means—claims the abuse occurred between March 2025 and June 2026. The woman further alleged that the official utilized government guest houses during these encounters and resorted to threats against her and her family when she pressured him to formalize their union.

A History of Controversy

This arrest marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny surrounding Mahour’s tenure. The officer is no stranger to disciplinary action; he was previously suspended in September of last year following direct intervention from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. At that time, Mahour faced allegations of misconduct regarding his behavior toward another woman and was also accused of irregularities concerning the transfer of patwaris during his stint as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in the Sabalgarh area. Despite that prior suspension, he was eventually reinstated to his position, a decision that is now drawing sharp criticism from observers.

Mounting Concerns in the State

The incident in Morena is part of a troubling pattern of misconduct involving senior officials in the state. Recent months have seen a surge in reports detailing the vulnerability of women under the administrative jurisdiction of state officials. From harassment cases involving tribal girls in Jhabua to custodial failures in other regions, the systemic issues within the district administration continue to spark public outrage.

DIG of Police (Chambal Range) Sunil Kumar Jain confirmed that Mahour was produced before a local court on Thursday and has since been remanded to judicial custody. As the investigation progresses, the case highlights the persistent challenges in maintaining institutional integrity and ensuring the safety of those who come into contact with state authorities. The recurring nature of such allegations against high-ranking officials suggests that the state government may face renewed pressure to implement more stringent background vetting and oversight mechanisms for its civil services cadre.