Two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Khandwa District Collector Rishav Gupta and District Panchayat CEO Dr Nagarjun B. Gowda, have landed in controversy after allegations surfaced on social media claiming they used AI-generated images and fake data to secure a prestigious national award.
The controversy erupted after posts began circulating online, especially on the social media platform X, accusing the officers of submitting manipulated photographs and misleading figures to win the National Water Award.
According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, artificial intelligence was used to create or alter images related to water conservation works in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. However, the district administration has strongly rejected these allegations, calling them baseless and misleading.
What is the controversy about?
The allegations primarily focus on the Sixth National Water Awards, where Khandwa district was recognised for its work under the “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” initiative, a water conservation campaign launched under the Centre’s ‘Catch the Rain’ programme.
Social media users claimed that the officers submitted fake photos generated using AI, with some images uploaded without removing watermarks. It was also claimed that small pits, barely a couple of feet deep, were shown as wells and ponds, and inflated figures were presented to the authorities to secure the award.
One such post was made by an X user named Prem Bharadwaj, whose claims quickly gained traction, prompting widespread debate and criticism online.
ये हैं MP खंडवा के DM ऋषभ गुप्ता , बहुत ही होनहार अधिकारी हैं !
— Prem Bhardwaj (@premkumarcbn01) December 28, 2025
AI से फोटो बना कर अपलोड किया और जल संरक्षण के क्षेत्र में दो राष्ट्रीय अवॉर्ड राष्ट्रपति जी के हाथों से लिया !
बस गलती एक हो गई कि Gemini से बनाए फोटो का Watermark नहीं हटा पाए !
जांच में पता चला कि दो दो फीट के… pic.twitter.com/Htgyux9jXk
What award did Khandwa district receive?
According to a post shared by the Khandwa Public Relations Office on 17th November 2025, the Sixth National Water Awards were scheduled to be presented on 18th November at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Under the category of Best Gram Panchayat, Kaveshwar Panchayat of Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh was selected for the second prize.
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu to Collector Rishav Gupta and District Panchayat CEO Dr Nagarjun B. Gowda. In addition, Khandwa district secured first place nationally in the “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” category, for which it received a cash prize of ₹2 crore.
District officials stated that Khandwa earned the recognition due to its extensive water conservation efforts carried out under the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign of the Jal Shakti Ministry. Collector Rishav Gupta had earlier said that the district created a national benchmark in water conservation through large-scale public participation.
Under this initiative, the administration uploaded detailed data and photographs of water-related works to the government portal as required by the scheme.
What work was done in Kaveshwar Panchayat?
According to the district administration, Kaveshwar Gram Panchayat was selected from across the country for its sustained and visible water conservation efforts. The panchayat received a cash award of ₹1.5 lakh and a trophy.
Over the past few years, major work was carried out at the origin site of the Kaveri river, including renovation of the sacred kund. A ridge-to-valley watershed development model was followed in the surrounding hilly areas. Around 50 hectares were treated with contour work, along with the construction of 55 gully plugs, 35 ponds, water harvesting systems, handpump and borewell recharge structures, and recharge shafts.
District administration rejects the claims
The Khandwa district administration has denied the allegations. On Saturday, 27th December, officials clarified, “A total of 1,29,046 photographs related to the works done under the campaign have been posted on the official website.”
It was also stated by the administration that all the images uploaded by them were verified by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry. Furthermore, one per cent of the total works was also verified randomly by field inspections.
Records indicate that the allegation spreading on the internet has nothing to do with the Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari campaign. They use the complaints that have been raised during the public hearings, which do not relate to the selection procedure.
Repeated attempts to speak to Collector Rishabh Gupta failed. He later responded via WhatsApp saying, “Completed works must have geo-tagged photographs. If works are incomplete, they remain pending on the portal and will eventually be detected. If excess funds have been withdrawn in any case, an inquiry will be conducted.”
