Who Is IAS Officer Aditya Singh? Transferred on the Same Day His Award Was Announced — The ‘X-Factor’ Explained

Ashoknagar/Bhopal, January 22:
In a development that has sparked widespread discussion in administrative and political circles, Ashoknagar Collector IAS Aditya Singh was transferred by the Madhya Pradesh government on the very day his name was announced for an award by the Election Commission for exemplary performance in election-related duties.

While the honour was scheduled to be conferred on January 25, a late-night government order relieved Aditya Singh of his post and transferred him to Bhopal as Deputy Secretary, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department. He has been replaced by IAS Sanket Malviya (2019 batch) as the new Collector of Ashoknagar.

Complaint Allegedly Triggered the Transfer

Officially, no detailed reason has been cited for the sudden transfer. However, administrative sources indicate that a complaint filed by Anandpur Trust played a decisive role. The trust, a prominent religious institution associated with the Advaita tradition in the district, is said to have approached senior authorities in Delhi, alleging irregularities in a land mutation case.

According to media reports, the complaint accused the Collector of seeking a multi-crore bribe in connection with land-related approvals. The issue had earlier surfaced during a Congress press conference, intensifying political pressure and fuelling speculation about imminent action.

Award and Transfer on the Same Day

The timing of the transfer has drawn particular attention. On one hand, the Election Commission issued an order recognising Aditya Singh’s outstanding performance in election management. On the other, the state government moved swiftly to remove him from the district, creating what many observers describe as a rare and contradictory administrative moment.

A History That Became the ‘X-Factor’

This is not the first time IAS Aditya Singh has found himself at the centre of controversy. In 2021, during his tenure with Bhopal Smart City, he was removed from the post of CEO following allegations of irregularities in land allotment. That episode, officials suggest, may have acted as an “X-factor”, influencing the government’s decision in the present case amid fresh allegations.

Profile: Who Is IAS Aditya Singh?

Aditya Singh is a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Born on March 8, 1990, he holds an engineering degree in Paper Technology from IIT Roorkee. Known for his command over both English and Hindi, he has been regarded as an energetic administrator with a keen interest in fitness, particularly long-distance cycling, which he practices regularly.

Before his transfer, he served as the Collector of Ashoknagar, a tenure marked by both administrative initiatives and recurring controversies.

New Appointment, New Questions

With Aditya Singh now posted in Bhopal and Sanket Malviya taking charge as the new Collector, the sudden reshuffle has given rise to multiple interpretations and political conjectures. While the government maintains silence on the specifics, the episode underscores how administrative performance, past records, and unresolved complaints can intersect—sometimes dramatically—in the careers of senior civil servants.

As investigations and inquiries, if any, take their course, the case of IAS Aditya Singh remains a striking example of how recognition and removal can arrive hand in hand in India’s bureaucracy.