An audio clip of Kota Board Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Archana Joshi fixing monetary contribution of Rs 50,000 from her subordinates as a ‘wedding gift’ for western railway general manager Ramesh Chandra’s daughter, has gone viral.
In the clip, Joshi is allegedly heard telling Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of Kota railway hospital Dr Anil Gupta that he has no choice but to make the contribution or else the amount will be deducted from his salary.
The conversation is alleged to have taken place in the first week of February. However, Gupta chose to make the clip public only two days after he was transferred to Jabalpur.
Jabalpur’s Chandra, for whose daughter’s wedding the money was being sought, has meanwhile denied the allegations and expressed ignorance about the audio clip.
Joshi has meanwhile been posted in the North-Western Railway after completing her term in Kota, which comes under the central western railway. She refused to comment on the issue when confronted by the media.
A heated argument takes place in the audio clip between Joshi and Gupta when the latter denies to pay a ‘bribe’ in favour of Chandra’s daughter. Gupta requests Joshi to talk to her politely since he is elder in age. Joshi is heard telling him he should think about respect once he becomes DRM.
“The statement that I have been transferred for not making proper arrangements for an injured Ticket Travelling Examiner (TTE) of Kota undergoing treatment in Faridabad Hospital is false. I have made all the necessary arrangements,” Gupta said after he was transferred.
