Nagpur: Tensions have flared up within the Public Works Department (PWD) as a full-blown cold war brews between two Sub-Divisional Engineers at the Ravi Bhavan division in Nagpur. The chaos began after the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) issued a stay order on the recent transfer of Engineer Sanjay Upadhye, just weeks before his retirement.
Upadhye had been transferred to the Chief Engineer’s Office in Nagpur by a government order issued on October 23. Expressing strong discontent over the timing of his transfer, he challenged the decision before the MAT. In the meantime, the newly appointed Sub-Divisional Engineer, Ajay Patil (Ghate), arrived at Ravi Bhavan on October 30 and began functioning without formally taking charge. He reportedly installed CCTV cameras in the office and even deployed bouncers — an unprecedented move that raised eyebrows among staff.
On November 7, the MAT granted an interim stay on Upadhye’s transfer, directing that he resume duties immediately. That same evening, Upadhye returned to Ravi Bhavan and began working out of the branch engineer’s cabin, since his own cabin had been locked.
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10 Oct 2025
The Background:
Upadhye’s transfer order was issued late on October 23. He viewed the order online the next day and continued to work at the office until October 29. On October 30, Ajay Patil arrived at Ravi Bhavan to assume charge, but the formal charge transfer — known as the CTC (Charge Transfer Ceremony) — did not take place. Upadhye left without handing over duties and went on medical leave.
“Administrative Tradition Broken,” Says Upadhye
“Transfers are part of government service, and I have no objection to that,” said Upadhye. “But the new officer must take charge through the traditional CTC process. That protocol was completely ignored this time. One-sided assumption of charge is against Maharashtra’s administrative culture.”
CCTV and Funds Controversy
When Upadhye returned on November 7, he noticed CCTV cameras installed in the office and bouncers on duty. He questioned under what budget and authority these installations were made. That same night, the cameras were reportedly removed. He further mentioned that there are usually two keys to the Sub-Divisional Engineer’s cabin, but both were missing from the office records.
Next Hearing in High Court
Following MAT’s interim stay, Upadhye said he has resumed full duties and even worked through the weekend to clear pending files. His case challenging the transfer is scheduled for hearing in the Bombay High Court on November 11. He is being represented by advocates Ganesh Khan, Arth Khanjode, Aneesh Deshpande, and Renuka Gosavi.
Attempts to contact Ajay Patil (Ghate) for his version went unanswered; he did not respond to phone calls, WhatsApp messages, or text inquiries.
The ongoing dispute has sparked unease within the department, with staff caught in the crossfire between two senior officers — turning Ravi Bhavan, usually a quiet administrative office, into a battleground of bureaucratic power play.
