Bhopal: Long before the Vyapam scam, Madhya Pradesh was recruited for systemic corruption for national map, a quiet, more clever fraud was already running in the state government schools.In Damoh district, two twins – not only in appearance, but also, shocking, in identity – had already slipped through a rift. Officials said that using the same BA final-year marksheet and the same name, they protected each government teaching jobs in different schools.For 18 years, he took classes, earned promotion, received a total amount of more than Rs 1.6 crore – without picking up a single red flag. He appeared in silence for almost two decades, now exploding as one of the most adventurous educational fraud in the history of the state. If there was Vyapam scam that highlighted the scale of corruption, the matter reminds that it was quietly rooted before it started in the headlines, officials say.The irony is that the alleged fraud came to light when both sisters, each, applied for transfer to the same school, recognizing themselves as Rashmi. Education department officials focused on repetition in credentials and started an inquiry, saying sources.Rashmi has been suspended, one of Dipendra’s wife, sisters. Vijay’s wife Rashmi, her twin Rashmi, soon disappeared and is said to be absconding. Repeated efforts to serve his official notices failed – a final notice is pasted at his house.This case only appears to be the tip of the iceberg. The education department’s investigation widen and revealed that at least 19 government school teachers had obtained jobs using fake, fake, or Suspected educational documentsThree of them have been rejected so far. The remaining 16 continue to teach, attract salary and talk with students.Among them are Neelam Tiwari and Asha Mishra, who are also related – sisters – who were presented fake Did Certificates. Officials say the two were posted in various schools within the district, and their shared family link deepened the suspicion of collusion. Investigators confirmed that their documents were coined, yet no punitive action has been taken against them.Another case consists of a teacher named Prabhudi Patel, who is posted at Becheni Middle School. When the public instructions were called for hearing by the Directorate, he cited his father’s recent death. However, the record revealed that his father died on 30 December 2024. On calling again on May 2, Patel claimed that he was observing the death anniversary. Officials said the excuses were not only false, but strategically, time and stalls were designed to buy proceedings.Another teacher, whose D.Ed certificate is under investigation, managed to transfer himself to Satna district, as if the investigation was closing on it. He allegedly enjoys close ties with a cabinet minister and is using political connections to avoid action.Several complaints about suspected teachers were submitted to various officials – including Public Instructions in Bhopal, Joint Director in Jabalpur, and District Education Officer, Damoh. However, no significant action was taken at any level. The matter eventually reached the MP High Court, which ordered the department to take strict action against all the accused teachers by 9 April 2025. This time limit has now passed, yet remains in allegedly active service with confirmation of 16 teachers or pending irregularities. According to official estimates, these 19 teachers have collectively drawn about Rs 22.9 crore in salary during the service period for 15 to 23 years.
