The Maharashtra state secretariat, Mantralaya, is at the centre of a concerning incident involving the disappearance of an official file. The missing document is related to the production of a significant biographical film on the life of the iconic social reformer, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule.
Complaint Filed at Marine Drive Police Station
The case came to light last month when Sagar Kamble, a senior assistant director with the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), formally approached the Marine Drive police station. According to the complaint he filed, the original file concerning the film's production was discovered to be missing from the ground-floor office where it was stored.
In a puzzling twist, officials found that a photocopy of the file had been left in place of the original. When Kamble questioned the office staff about the whereabouts of the original file, they reportedly stated they had no knowledge of it and were working solely with the photocopied version. Following this, Kamble escalated the matter by informing his senior officers about the disappearance.
Original Documents and Legal Action
The complaint highlighted that the missing file contained original documents dated between January 1, 2017, and March 31, 2020. The loss of such records represents a serious breach of protocol. Authorised to take legal action, Sagar Kamble's complaint led to the registration of a formal case.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that a case has been registered against unidentified persons under the stringent Maharashtra Public Records Act. An active police investigation is currently underway to trace the missing file and determine the circumstances behind its disappearance from the heart of the state's administration.
Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The incident raises serious questions about record-keeping and security within the state secretariat. The disappearance of a file tied to a project celebrating a major historical figure like Mahatma Phule is particularly sensitive. The police probe will aim to ascertain whether the file was misplaced, stolen, or removed intentionally, and who might be responsible.
As the investigation continues, authorities are scrutinising the events that led to the replacement of the original file with a photocopy without official traceability. The outcome of this probe is awaited, as it touches upon both administrative accountability and the preservation of public records related to culturally important projects.
