A shocking investigation in Mauganj, Madhya Pradesh, has revealed that a small group of people—including drivers, cooks, sweepers, vegetable vendors, and even a physically disabled man—were repeatedly used as “professional witnesses” in hundreds of criminal cases across multiple police stations. The revelations emerged from the police’s own Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network System (CCTNS).
Records show that Amit Kushwaha, personal driver of then Station House Officer Jagdish Singh Thakur, and Dinesh Kushwaha, a vegetable vendor and occasional cook at the police station, were listed as witnesses or informants in 106 cases, with Amit Kushwaha appearing as the sole witness in 18 cases. Many of these cases involved cannabis, illegal liquor, and arms offences. Wherever Thakur was posted, Amit’s name repeatedly appeared, earning him the nickname of a “travelling witness.”
Other individuals, including cleaner Ramakant Yadav, vehicle driver Rahul Vishwakarma, and physically disabled Arun Tiwari, were also listed in multiple cases despite claiming they had never testified. In some instances, individuals who had been used as witnesses were later named as accused in cases they were supposedly observing.
Anomalies in official records, such as inconsistencies in Amit Kushwaha’s age and false complainant listings, have raised further concerns about manipulation. Social activist Kunjbihari Tiwari alleged that over 500 cases between 2022 and 2025 may involve “fixed” or “pocket” witnesses, and more than 150 FIRs could be fake or manipulated.
Following the revelations, Mauganj SP Dilip Kumar Soni removed Jagdish Singh Thakur from Naigarhi police station and transferred him to the police lines. The matter has been handed over to the Sub Divisional Police Officer for investigation. BJP MLA and former Assembly Speaker Girish Gautam stressed the seriousness of the issue, calling it “set-up witnesses” and promising strict action.
